HIGHLIGHTS
- The Florida Panthers eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 on Sunday
- In the process, Brad Marchand made NHL history
- Find out how below
The Florida Panthers marched into Scotiabank Arena on Sunday for Game 7 and absolutely dominated the Toronto Maple Leafs, clinching their spot in the East Finals with a 6-1 victory. In the process, Brad Marchand continued to haunt his Atlantic Division rivals.
The veteran became the first player in NHL history to win five winner-take-all games against the same franchise. Look away, Leafs fans:
Marchand is known as a Leafs killer, which was again the case in this series. He had eight points in seven games and certainly did his part in Game 7, scoring once and tallying a pair of assists. In the five Game 7 appearances versus Toronto, Marchand has two goals and four helpers.
The 37-year-old admitted he had some nerves before this decisive contest and gave credit to the Leafs for battling hard.
Via Sportsnet:
“This one was probably the one I was most nervous for,” Marchand told Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas after the game. “I said it before, and I wasn’t just pumping their tires, they’re a different team this year… I give them a lot of credit, they competed way harder than they ever had.”
Brad Marchand has now compiled 35 points in the playoffs against Toronto, and he’ll long be known as a player who does nothing but succeed when playing his rival, regardless if he has a Panthers or Boston Bruins jersey across his chest.
Florida now moves on to face the Carolina Hurricanes as they continue their pursuit of another Stanley Cup. The Cats swept the Canes at this stage a year ago and arguably have a stronger roster now with Marchand along for the ride.
As for the Maple Leafs, major changes could be coming this offseason after another early exit.
