Things are getting real in the world of ice hockey. This weekend saw the start of a bunch of super exciting playoff games. The Senators faced off against the Maple Leafs, reviving an age-old battle between the two rivals, as did the Devils and the Hurricanes, who were competing against each other in a playoff series for the first time in 14 years! And now it’s time for the two teams from the Sunshine State to bring their coldest, boldest, far-from-beach vibes as they prepare for their showdown tomorrow. However, the same can’t be said for the locker room. And it’s interesting to see how recent acquisition Brad Marchand blends his playful and often pushing it Boston locker room culture with the Panthers’ presumably intense vibes
In a recent post-practice interview, Anton Lundell was asked something along these lines. Pointing out that three years ago Rhino (Reinhart) was on Lundell’s line and last year it was Tarasenko, the interviewer asked specifically what Brad Marchand brought to the line that was unique.
Lundell immediately broke into a smile when he laughingly answered, “He talks a lot, always chirping guys, pumping guys on the bench. He brings the energy for sure. He’s one of a kind. Very happy to have him on our side, and it’d be very cool to learn from him.”
And, to offer fans a sense of that Florida focus that seems in line with their current playing style, Lundell went on to say, “We’re a hungry team; we don’t settle down, we want to eat more, chew more.” So it’s certainly interesting that Marchand’s fun-loving tactics go down well in that hungry locker, or maybe that has to do with the reputation he has built for himself as a stellar playoff player.
What to expect from Brad Marchand as the Florida Panthers begin the playoffs?
To say Brad Marchand has a playoff reputation is putting it lightly. “He is,” teammate Sam Reinhart said, “built for this time of year. Everyone hates to play against him, but he is someone everyone would want to have.” Marchand is known for taking full advantage of the, urm…intensity that is allowed for in the playoffs. He famously got into a scuffle with his current Panthers teammate Sam Bennett in last year’s series. Luckily they’ve gotten over that. But Marchand gets around and also has some history with Tampa Bay.
In the 2018 playoff series, Marchand literally licked the ear of Tampa Bay’s Ryan Callahan, a move that the NHL had to have some serious words with Marchand about, even issuing him a ‘stop licking’ order! Granted, it seems like a less harmful intimidation tactic than cross-checks, but we don’t write the rules.
Either way, Marchand, who has 157 playoff games under his belt, with 56 goals and 138 points, is bound to make things interesting tomorrow. The legendary right wing has been finding his feet with his new team and building a solid chemistry with none other than…Sam Bennet. Also, with Matthew Tkachuk coming back and Tampa’s Oliver Bjorkstrand out on injury, who knows what tricks (and licks) Marchand is going to pull out!
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