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NHL Sends Message to Brad Marchand After Stunning Ending to Panthers-Maple Leafs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rexwell Villas | Last updated May 10, 2025 1:17 AM ET

Brad Marchand and the Florida Panthers finally punched back at the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs.

Down 2-0 in the series, the Panthers found themselves close to dropping a third consecutive game on Friday, as the contest went to overtime.

But Marchand made sure that the night would belong to the Panthers, as he lit the lamp barely five minutes into the extras. With their 5-4 victory, the Panthers now trail Toronto in the series by just a game, 2-1.

For the 36-year-old Marchand, his goal also put him in an exclusive NHL playoffs territory.

Via the NHL’s official X account: “Talk about CLUTCH Brad Marchand has passed Ondrej Palat and Evgeni Malkin for sole possession of the most game winners among active players in the #StanleyCup Playoffs!”

Talk about CLUTCH

Brad Marchand has passed Ondrej Palat and Evgeni Malkin for sole possession of the most game winners among active players in the #StanleyCup Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/VT6QFd2ulS
— NHL (@NHL) May 10, 2025

Since Palat's New Jersey Devils were eliminated in the first round and Malkin's Pittsburgh Penguins failed to make the postseason, Marchand is guaranteed to enjoy his place atop that particular list alone until at least the next playoffs.

In a way, Marchand's goal was also an advanced birthday present for himself, as he will be turning 37 years old on Sunday, the same day as Game 5 of this series.

Known as well for his playoff exploits with the Boston Bruins versus the Maple Leafs, Marchand now has 33 career points in the playoffs opposite Toronto, per Sportsnet Stats.

Through eight games in the 2025 playoffs, Marchand has recorded two goals and six assists while also posting a team-best plus-8.

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

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