Brad Marchand could’ve ended the Florida Panthers’ 2023 season much earlier than the Stanley Cup Finals.
He had a breakaway opportunity for the Boston Bruins in a crucial playoff moment, but he couldn’t put it away.
Two years later, the Panthers are in their third consecutive final round appearance. They’re defending champs. And Marchand is on their side now.
And on Friday night, Marchand delivered the biggest moment of their season so far.
In double overtime of a 4-4 game with the Oilers, Marchand snuck behind the defense, took a pass in stride and went to his backhand side to finish off the game-ending goal.
It’s Marchand’s second OT winner of these playoffs, and it knotted the Stanley Cup Finals at a game apiece.
The 37-year old now ranks third in NHL history in playoff overtime goals, with five.
That was Marchand’s second goal of the game. His first came shorthanded in the second period, and it would’ve held up as the winner if Corey Perry didn’t score for Edmonton with 18 seconds to play in regulation.
The Bruins traded Marchand at the deadline this season in a franchise-shaking move.
Boston was out of contention, but it was still a tad surprising to see a guy who ranks top-five in most of the Bruins’ major skater categories get sent away.
But it turns out, the Bruins did Marchand a favor.
He’s on the biggest stage, and it turns out Marchand is still a bright, bright star.
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