Brad Marchand finds new way to haunt Toronto Maple Leafs fans
The Toronto Maple Leafs came oh so close to taking a commanding 3-0 series lead Friday night in Florida.
Instead, they were taken down by a familiar face in Game 3 against the Florida Panthers, and the best-of-seven series is 2-1.
Longtime Leafs enemy Brad Marchand scored with just under five minutes left in the first overtime period to complete a huge Panthers comeback.
The Leafs jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead and held a 3-1 advantage in the second period. The Panthers stormed back to win 5-4 in overtime, and it was Marchand who finished the job.
The goal wasn’t pretty, but it went in after taking a weird bounce off the stick of Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly. Despite Rielly scoring a goal of his own on the night, two different Panthers goals took a redirect off the Toronto defenceman.
“In overtime, there’s no bad shot you can put on the net,” said Marchand. “It’s one second of a game. It could be anybody. … The details that go into making those plays happen is where the work is done.”
BRAD MARCHAND WINS IT IN OT FOR THE PANTHERS 🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀🐀 pic.twitter.com/fUP840Yv4q
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 10, 2025
It was Marchand’s 12th career playoff goal against the Leafs, the seventh most of any player ever. It was his 33rd playoff point against the Leafs, third-most all-time tied with Henri Richard.
The Panthers acquired the 36-year-old pest at the last minute before the trade deadline, and the move has paid dividends. Marchand has four points in three playoff games against the Leafs and his mouth hasn’t stopped moving throughout the entire series.
Marchand has been chirping the Leafs throughout all three games.
Brad Marchand just chirping Max Domi for minutes during the commercial stoppage 😭 pic.twitter.com/0R9F5NZRPm
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 10, 2025
Leafs fans were having a tough time seeing the former Boston Bruins legend end the game.
tfw it’s Marchand, again, and again, and again: pic.twitter.com/OTr0PfmFCE
— Christopher Horvat (@chrishorvat_) May 10, 2025
“Anyone but him. Just anyone but him,” said a devastated Paul Bissonnette on TNT.
Marchand has played alongside Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen on the Panthers’ third line. They aren’t a normal third line and have found a lot of chemistry, giving the Leafs fits.
“With Marchand on the line, it just adds more creativity to it. He is a good player who makes plays. There are subtle little things he does on the ice. It makes it a more dangerous line offensively,” said Berube.
The Panthers are loving having Marchand on their side. When asked the biggest difference between coaching the winger versus going against him, Panthers coach Paul Maurice didn’t have to think long.
“I swear less,” said Maurice.
The Panthers’ win sets up a massive Game 4. If Game 3 was any indication, it should be a battle.
“You saw how they prepared for that game, they have that killer instinct now,” added Marchand about the Leafs.