Florida Panthers centre Brad Marchand (left) celebrates his empty-net goal with teammate Gustav Forsling during third period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, in Toronto, May 18.Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
A smile crossed Brad Marchand’s face as he was asked a question on Sunday night: Do you take special pleasure in beating the Maple Leafs?
“The thing about Toronto is that the fans are in your face,” the Florida Panthers centre said after his team laid a 6-1 shellacking on the Maple Leafs and knocked them out of the second round of the NHL. “I enjoy interacting with the fans. It’s about not taking yourself too seriously.”
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Marchand, 37, has played the role of villain most of his career and has left his footprints over the Maple Leafs more than any other opponent. On Sunday he had a goal and two assists in the Game 7 victory.
It is the fifth time he has had a hand in eliminating Toronto from the postseason, including four previous times as a member of the Boston Bruins. He described that as mostly a coincidence, however.
“No one player wins a game,” Marchand said. “I’ve just been fortunate to be a member of teams that did that. It is just how the dominos fall sometimes.”
Marchand had three goals and five assists in the seven-game series and has 12 points in 12 playoff games this spring with the Panthers.
Paul Maurice said his club is benefitting from a “Brad Marchand effect” – especially the way he works with some of the younger players.
“He has an incredibly positive spirit,” Maurice said. “I’ve had players who have yelled at teammates on the bench. He never does that.
“He is bordering on legendary status and he pumps other guys’ tires all the time.”
Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube was at a loss for words when asked how his team could come up flat in two straight home games against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
The Canadian Press
Marchand grew up in Halifax but was a Maple Leafs fan when he was growing up.
“The heat that team is going to take is really unfortunate,” Marchand said. “They are going to get crucified. The fans here just beat pressure into them. How do you not feel that every day?”
Toronto has reached the playoffs for nine straight years and only reached the second round twice.
“There is a cost to the passion here for these guys,” Maurice, who formerly coached the Maple Leafs, said. “When you lose a game like they did tonight it is going to be tough on them.”
Marchand knows he is near the end of his career. He was traded to Florida 10 weeks ago and his contract expires this summer.
“You live a dream you never thought would become a reality,” he said. “Years fly by, and for me it’s almost over. I am going to enjoy the moments here.”