Brad Marchand blames Toronto fans, media for pressuring Maple Leafs

Brad Marchand had an interesting take on what partly caused the Toronto Maple Leafs to melt down in Sunday’s do-or-die game.

Marchand was one of six different Florida Panthers to score in Game 7 of their second-round series against the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada. After a scoreless opening period, the Panthers broke through with three goals each in both the second and third periods to secure a 6-1 win and their ticket to the conference finals.

After the game, Marchand spoke about the difference in how much pressure the Panthers and Maple Leafs were feeling heading into Game 7. The 16-year veteran touted Florida’s experience in big moments, having played in the last two Stanley Cup Finals. Marchand then pointed out how the Maple Leafs have more than just their opponents to overcome.

“When you see the pressure Toronto faces,” said Marchand. “You see the fans and the way they talk — they just beat the pressure into this team. It’s got to be tough on those guys to walk to the rink every day and not feel that. You see the way fans treat them at the end. How do you not feel that every single day?”

If there’s one opposing player who knows all about the Maple Leafs’ postseason misery, it’s Marchand. He’s had a more direct hand in Toronto’s on-ice demise than anything the fans or media could have done.

Marchand faced the Maple Leafs in the playoffs four different times when he was still a member of the Boston Bruins. Each series went the distance, with Boston winning all four Game 7s. The first Game 7 in 2013 ended 5-4 in overtime on a goal Marchand assisted on.

Marchand continued his torment of Toronto in last week’s Game 3, when he scored the game-winning goal in overtime that completely turned the series around. Once the game was out of reach, Maple Leafs fans began throwing things onto the ice.

After Sunday’s win, Marchand became the first player in NHL history to win five winner-take-all games against the same franchise.