(Photo Credit: Frank Gunn / The Canadian Press)

By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones

Brad Marchand has faced off against the Toronto Maple Leafs five times in the postseason, four times in Boston and once in Florida. On each occasion, Marchand’s team has prevailed in seven games. However, this most recent series victory was different for the winger for multiple reasons.

Marchand was on home ice in his four previous Game Sevens against the Maple Leafs. Boston hosted Toronto for the series-deciding contest in 2013, 2018, 2019, and 2024. But in this most recent playoff battle, Marchand and his squad would have to get it done in enemy territory.

Every Bruins fan knows this series also marked a change for Marchand, who traded in his Black and Gold sweater for the Panthers’ Red and White. The Panthers’ 6-1 dominant victory Sunday night was Marchand’s first Game Seven win since being traded from the Bruins.

But despite being on the road and rocking a different color scheme, Marchand was prepped to torment Toronto once again. With Florida leading 1-0 in the second period, Marchand went to work. He put together a tremendous shift in the Maple Leafs’ end by displaying his skating skills. He fired the puck on net from just outside the right faceoff circle. Joseph Woll could not control the rebound, and Anton Lundell hopped on the rubber and buried Florida’s second goal of the game.

Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk praised Marchand on the TNT broadcast. “Brad Marchand has won every race,” Olczyk said. “He has won every puck battle.”

Marchand was not done stuffing the stat sheet. He corralled another assist at the beginning of the third frame after Eetu Luostarinen tipped home a feed from the former Bruins captain. Marchand then put the game on ice by drilling Toronto’s empty net to balloon Florida’s lead to 6-1.

With his three-point night, Marchand vaulted into second place all-time for most points put up against the Maple Leafs in the postseason. In 35 career playoff matchups against Toronto, Marchand has accumulated 13 goals and 24 assists.  Only Gordie Howe has more, as “Mr. Hockey” corralled 20 goals and 33 assists against the Maple Leafs over 53 postseason games.

Marchand also made hockey history on Sunday night. He became the first NHL player to beat one franchise in at least five win-or-go-home contests.

Now at 37 years of age and skating on Florida’s third line, Marchand is at a different stage of his career. But despite all the miles on his tires, he still finds a way to make key plays and help his team win games. Watching him throughout this series, it is clear that he has a jump in his legs, and his play-making ability is still impressive.

Florida will now take on the Carolina Hurricanes for the right to compete for the Stanley Cup. With Marchand giving the Panthers such a boost on the third line, they will be a tough out the rest of the way. His tenacity, skating ability, and offensive skillset are firing on all cylinders. He looks dialed in and ready to empty his tank for Florida.