Why Brad Marchand’s Panthers success is a positive for Bruins, the four-time All-Star’s former team

Brad Marchand grew up rooting in the Leafs of Toronto Maple, and on Sunday he made history against his favorite children’s team, becoming the first player in the NHL history to win at least five games against the same franchise. The last four times (2013, 2018, 2019 and 2024) ended with the Leaf’s Playoff hopes that was on a Boston Bruins sweater, but this time he was as a member of the Florida Panthers, Thanks to a trade in March.

On Sunday’s victory 6-1, Marchand had a goal and two assists, leaving the Maple Leafs once again outside the playoffs before the conference round in which he has been a decade of disappointment of the later season.

After the victory, Marchand spoke of defeating the leaves and how it is not only to go against the players of Toronto, but also their fans.

“I grew up a fan of the leaves and I like to play against the leaves,” Marchand he said. “I like to interact with the fans. It’s fun. I don’t take too seriously. I love to make fun -me and I love to make fun -me me. If you can’t take it so.

The Stanley Cup champion continued, saying“I think the Toronto thing is that their fans are very much in the face. They are aggressive. They let you listen to you all the time. So it’s fun to interact [with them]. I interact with many fans and enjoy this part. “

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The three points in Marchand put him second on the race career against Maple Leafs (37) and passed Washington Alex Ovecchkin (8) Capitals (8) for most of the career game 7 points among active players (10). Despite his important contribution to the crucial victory of match 7, Marchand emphasized that it was a group effort.

“It was not me who beat them, it was our team,” said the 37 -year -old.

Panthers coach Paul Maurice, who is now 6-0 in the game 7, spoke with the impact that Marchand has already had on the team, specifically the young players.

“He has affected those guys in such a positive way to think about the game and make plays in small areas and make them feel that these two young people have it,” said Maurice.

Toronto led the series 2-0 to begin and lost his leadership in part to Florida’s new addition.

Advanced the final of the Eastern Conference was not only positive for the panthers, but also the Bruins, who see these playoffs since the sofa for the first time since 2015.

Bruins had what can only be described as a one -year disaster, Coach dismissing Jim Montgomery in November And ending at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with a record of 33-39-10, tied for the worst of the conference. Good news was difficult to come to TD Garden this year, and this Panthers wins, while it can be bitter, seeing that its old star thrives in its new threads, it brings something positive for Boston.

The commercial agreement with the Panthers had to receive a conditional selection of the second round of 2027 in exchange for Marchand and the selection becomes a first -round selection if Florida reached the conference finals and the left wing played at least 50% of the playoff games. The first part of the clause can be seen if Marchand plays the match 1 of his next series against the hurricanes of Carolina and the second half can also be checked.