Brad Marchand clearly still has the Toronto Maple Leafs’ number.
Marchand was traded to the Florida Panthers in March after playing 16 seasons for the Boston Bruins. The trade paid dividends for the Panthers on Friday as the 36-year-old scored the game-winning goal in overtime to win Game 3 of the Panthers’ second-round series against the Maple Leafs. The goal helped the Panthers avoid falling into a 0-3 hole in the series.
Panthers fans are still in the process of getting familiar with Marchand. Friday’s game was just his 18th with Carolina (10 regular season, 8 playoffs). But Maple Leafs fans are well acquainted with the two-time All-Star.
Several fans posted about how Marchand has continued his torment of the Leafs despite no longer wearing a Bruins uniform.
Marchand faced the Maple Leafs in the playoffs four different times as a member of the Bruins. Each series went the distance, with Boston winning all four Game 7s. The first Game 7 that Marchand played against the Maple Leafs in 2013 ended 5-4 in overtime on a goal Marchand assisted on. Friday’s Game 3 also ended 5-4 in overtime, but Marchand was the one who iced the game this time.
Marchand’s game-ending goal was the 33rd of his career against the Maple Leafs, tied with Henri Richard for the third-most against Toronto in NHL history. Only Detroit Red Wings legends Gordie Howe (53) and Alex Delvecchio (35) have more.
