Brad Marchand Strikes Again — This Time in Panthers Colors—to Torment the Maple Leafs
Brad Marchand’s history of playoff heartbreak for the Toronto Maple Leafs added another brutal chapter — only this time, he did it in a different jersey.
The longtime Boston Bruins star, now a key piece for the Florida Panthers, delivered a dramatic overtime game-winner in Game 3 of their second-round series against Toronto. With the Panthers facing a 2-0 series deficit and needing a jolt, Marchand answered by slipping the puck past Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll, sending the home crowd at Amerant Bank Arena into a frenzy.
Even without the Spoked-B on his chest, Marchand proved he still has a knack for delivering dagger moments to Toronto fans. This isn’t new territory for the 2011 Stanley Cup champion — he’s played the villain role for Toronto many times before. In fact, it was just a year ago when he helped Boston win a seven-game thriller over the Leafs, a series that ended with David Pastrnak’s overtime goal in Game 7.
Marchand’s track record against Toronto is impressive and, frankly, haunting for Leafs fans: in 59 career games against them, he’s recorded 21 goals and 37 assists — including 12 playoff goals. His presence has loomed large over nearly every Toronto postseason exit in recent memory.
Now, as a veteran with the Panthers, Marchand is aiming to help Florida on its quest to repeat as Eastern Conference champions — and maybe even add a second Stanley Cup to his resume. If history’s any indicator, the Leafs will have to go through more of Marchand’s playoff magic to keep their title hopes alive.