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Brad Marchand’s ‘Odd Feeling’ After Reaching Stanley Cup Final with Panthers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated May 29, 2025 6:42 AM ET

Brad Marchand has spent more than 15 years as one of the NHL's most recognizable agitators and, until midway this season, a core part of the Boston Bruins’ leadership group, including winning the 2011 Stanley Cup with the franchise.

On Wednesday night, however, it was in a Florida Panthers jersey that the 37-year-old winger advanced to his fourth Stanley Cup Final.

Traded at the deadline from Boston to Florida for a conditional pick, Marchand joined a Panthers team chasing history.

They reached it by sealing a third straight Eastern Conference title with a 5-3 comeback win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5.

If we told you at the beginning of the season Brad Marchand would be playing in the Stanley Cup Final for the Panthers, would you believe it?

Marchy and @Jackie_Redmond after the Panthers clinched the Cup Final berth pic.twitter.com/TUOzEBsvft
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) May 29, 2025

Marchand played a central role in Game 5, notching an assist and helping drive the line that turned a 2-0 deficit into a series-clinching victory. His assist came on the goal scored by teammate Anton Lundell to give the Panthers their first lead, putting them up 3-2 in the second frame.

Marchand was candid after the game when asked about the unusual feeling of reaching the finals with a new team.

"Yeah, it’s special. You’ve been around for a while, and you realize how few opportunities you have to be part of something like this," Marchand said. "Just enjoying every moment, very grateful for the opportunity.

"You’re right. I didn’t expect to be here in the jersey, but I’m very happy."

Marchand added that the moment felt incomplete without the ultimate goal of winning the title achieved.

"It’s a bit of an odd feeling, you know, extremely excited to go to the finals, but the job is not done," Marchand said. "It kinda feels like we ended any other series and there's still a huge job to do, so we’re looking ahead, but definitely excited about the opportunity."

Florida now awaits the winner of the Western Conference finals between Edmonton and Dallas. The Oilers lead 3–1 with Game 5 scheduled for Thursday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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