BOSTON -- Bruins forward Brad Marchand was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct and was ejected for spearing Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jake Dotchin in the groin at 19:20 of the first period Tuesday night at TD Garden.

The puck was in Tampa Bay's zone and Dotchin was defending the front of the net when Marchand attempted to play the puck but finished with the spear. Lightning trainer Tom Mulligan tended to Dotchin, who remained on the ice for several minutes before skating off on his own.

The Bruins went on to defeat the Lightning 4-0 to secure a Stanley Cup playoff berth. It will be their first postseason appearance in three seasons.

Marchand, who is considered a repeat offender, has been suspended four times in his NHL career. Since 2011, he has been suspended 12 games for four separate incidents, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

He will have a hearing with NHL Player Safety on Thursday morning.

He leads the Bruins with 39 goals and 46 assists for 85 points in 80 games. Entering Tuesday's contests, Marchand also had led the NHL with 29 goals since Jan. 7, six more than the next-highest player, Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning.

After the game -- which also was his bobblehead night -- Marchand described the spear as a reactionary play.

"It was an undisciplined penalty -- there's no question about that," Marchand said. "It could have cost the team a very important game, but the guys did a great job of rallying and having a huge game."

Asked whether he expects to be suspended, Marchand said: "I have no idea. I haven't seen the replay. I got kicked out of the game. The refs made their call, so just trying to enjoy the win with the boys."

Dotchin, who remained in the game, said afterward he was a bit sore.

"My stomach's a bit hurtin', but just got to move on from it," he said.

"It's a tough [play], for sure," Dotchin added. "It happened. The refs made the call, and let the league deal with the suspension."

Asked whether he believes Marchand should be suspended, Dotchin said: "I'm going to let the league handle that."

When asked to describe the penalty, Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said: "I don't know. Just as it was called. Nothing more, nothing less."