The Florida Panthers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs by a 6-1 final score in Game 7 on May 18. With this, the Panthers have advanced to the Eastern Conference Final for the third year in a row, and former Boston Bruins star Brad Marchand is a big reason for it.
Marchand dominated against the Maple Leafs in this series for the Panthers, recording three goals, eight points, and a plus-6 rating in seven contests. This includes scoring a goal and posting two assists in Game 7 for the Panthers.
Marchand played a major role in the Panthers winning this series with his excellent play, and he has given the Bruins one last gift in the process. With Marchand helping lead the Panthers past the Maple Leafs, the second-round pick the Bruins received from Florida is set to change to a first-rounder.
The conditions of the trade are that the 2027 second-round pick the Panthers traded to the Bruins for Marchand would change to a first-round pick if Florida wins two playoff rounds and Marchand plays in 50% of their post-season games. Now, the Panthers have checked off the first condition, and Marchand only needs to play in one more game to officially hit the second condition. This is because Marchand will play in his 13th game of the post-season in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, and the Panthers can play a maximum of 13 games after it.
Marchand certainly did his part to get the Panthers past the Maple Leafs in the second round, and the Bruins undoubtedly benefited from it. It will be fascinating to see if he can stay hot for the Cats as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes next round from here.
Bruins Legend Brad Marchand Makes NHL History vs. Maple Leafs
Boston Bruins legend Brad Marchand played a significant role in the Florida Panthers defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs by a 6-1 final score in Game 7. The veteran forward scored an empty-netter and recorded two assists on the night to help the Panthers secure their victory. With this, he had three goals and eight points in seven games during the series.
Marchand also made some NHL history in Game 7 against the Maple Leafs. According to NHL Public Relations, No. 63 is the first player in NHL history to beat one team in at least five Game 7s.
Marchand, of course, was a member of the Bruins teams that defeated the Maple Leafs in the playoffs in 2013, 2018, 2019, and 2024. Now, the former Bruins captain has knocked out the Leafs as a member of the Panthers and secured this new NHL record because of it.
At 37 years old, Marchand continues to thrive during the playoffs, and the Panthers are undoubtedly ecstatic that they brought him in. In 12 games this post-season, the Halifax, Nova Scotia native has three goals, 12 points, and a plus-11 rating. He has been playing incredibly for Florida, and he will look to stay hot against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final from here.
