Marchand continues to haunt Leafs in big games

TORONTO – Brad Marchand was with a brand new workforce, however felt very a lot at dwelling beating up an previous foe within the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.

Marchand scored as soon as and arrange his linemates for 2 different targets within the Florida Panthers’ 6-1 win in opposition to the workforce the 37-year-old left-wing grew up cheering for.

He turned the primary participant in NHL historical past to win 5 Sport 7s in opposition to the identical franchise after profitable the 4 earlier occasions with the Boston Bruins.

Sure, the menace Maple Leafs’ fanatics like to hate, received the final giggle — once more.

“I grew up a Leafs fan, and I take pleasure in taking part in in opposition to the Leafs,” Marchand stated. “I take pleasure in interacting with followers. It’s enjoyable. I don’t take myself too critically. I like getting made enjoyable of and I like making enjoyable of individuals. For those who can’t take it, then so be it. I’m going to benefit from the moments that I’ve.

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“After I are available right here and I get booed, I’m good. I’m going to indicate it. I’m going to take pleasure in that.”

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In a sequence by which the highest two traces on every workforce cancelled out one another, the Panthers thrived with the depth of Marchand’s third line and the fourth line.

Marchand’s linemates, Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen, every scored. Fourth-liner Jonah Gadjovich additionally linked.

Marchand felt the defending champions’ expertise got here shining by way of in opposition to the lacklustre Maple Leafs.

“While you win a cup and also you play in among the video games that this workforce performed in final 12 months, these are usually not high-pressure video games,” he stated.

Marchand was a commerce deadline acquisition. However as a result of he was injured and never taking part in, it was troublesome for the agitator to turn out to be acquainted together with his new environment. However as soon as he began taking part in, studying the Panthers’ five-player forecheck, the Stanley Cup winner with the 2010-11 Bruins match proper in.

Panthers head Paul Maurice was grateful that assistant GM Gregory Campbell had urged Florida to commerce for Marchand. The 2 have been longtime Bruins teammates.

“He’s an extremely optimistic spirit,” Maurice stated. “Guys who’re vocal and intense typically will probably be screaming on the bench. They get so wired. He by no means does that.”

Maurice added there’s a Marchand impact with children Lundell and Luostarinen.

“He’s affected these guys in such a optimistic mind-set in regards to the sport, and making performs in small areas and making them really feel these two younger guys have it in them,” Maurice stated.

The veteran coach additionally stored his excellent Sport 7 file intact. He now has gone 6-0 in Sport 7s.

“Sport 7s are for the gamers,” Maurice stated. “It doesn’t matter how your fingers really feel. It doesn’t matter how your physique feels. It doesn’t matter how nicely you execute.

“If it’s how comfy you’re in exhausting conditions, then you could have an opportunity.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Might 18, 2025.

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