Rat Redemption: Brad Marchand Delivers in the Big Moment

Marchand, who has been the perfect addition to the Panthers organization, not just because of his nickname, but also because of how he handles himself, especially in the big moments. Once again, he is showing why he loves the stage, that is, the Stanley Cup Final.

These first two games of the Stanley Cup Final have been excellent. It was the first time since 2014 that the first two games went to overtime. It occurred three years in a row, from 2012 to 2014. Brad Marchand has been on the right side of two Game 2 victories that went to overtime.

He was on the Bruins when they beat the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013, and now he seals a great game with his second goal of the night, which happens to be the double overtime game-winning goal to help the Panthers even the series. It was a hard-fought game with neither side giving an inch on the ice. Florida and Edmonton are showing that they are the two best teams in the NHL right now, and it will take a lot to beat them.

From the get-go, it had the feel of a game that would be won along the boards and in the trenches. That is how Brad Marchand likes to play hockey. That is what he did for so many years with the Bruins. He was given the nickname “The Rat” for a reason. This game was in your face with scrums after the whistle, and Marchand was in the middle of it all.

‘However, that is not the only side to his game. Marchand is a talented and skillful hockey player, and it was on display once again in Game 2. As previously mentioned, Marchand had two goals on the night. His first one came in the second period, where the Panthers once again proved their dominance.

With the Edmonton Oilers on the power play, the Panthers, who have the best penalty killing unit in the playoffs, despite giving up two power play goals in the first two games of the series, were able to disrupt the top guys for Edmonton, which sent Marchand in on a breakaway. Marchand then opened up Edmonton goaltender Stuart Skinner and slid the puck under his pads to give the Panthers a 4-3 lead.

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There is something about June 6th and Brad Marchand being in the Final. This was Marchand’s second shorthanded goal in the Stanley Cup Final. His first came with the Boston Bruins 14 years ago in Game 3 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final against the Vancouve Canucks and goaltender Roberto Luongo. Luongo is now the special advisor to general manager Bill Zito.

So it is ironic that Marchand is now on the Panthers and Luongo is cheering for him, saying on Twitter/X: “Favorite Player of All Time.”

There was a reason why Bill Zito wanted Marchand on his team. He knew what he could bring in the most significant moments, like Game 7 in Round 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Not only that, Zito only gave up a conditional pick to acquire him, which has now become a first-round pick. Not only has he improved the special teams, but the third line has also generally performed better.

The Florida Panthers are being carried by their third line, which has been their best line throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs and into the Stanley Cup Final. They were at it once again. The third line for the Panthers has combined for 45 points this postseason. Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen each have 14 points, and Marchand has 17 points.

In Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, the trio recorded five points, with Marchand getting two goals and Lundell recording two primary assists on those goals. Luostarinen added a primary assist on Seth Jones’ first-period marker.

The pair of Lundell and Marchand has added another element to the Panthers penalty kill. As mentioned in the Stanley Cup Final Preview, the Panthers had the best penalty kill unit in the playoffs. It is only getting better. They have only given up two power-play goals in 10 Edmonton power plays. They are doing their job to perfection.

As the game ticked on, that line got better. And who else but Marchand would end the game? Marchand found open space between the Edmonton defenders in double overtime to sneak in on his third breakaway of the game. He had scored earlier in the game shorthanded. But this time, Marchand delivered with the game on his stick to send the series back to Sunrise tied at 1-1.

Remember, he had the series on his stick with the Bruins back in 2023 in the first round against the same Florida Panthers team and did not score the goal during that historic season. This time, the old Brad Marchand from the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs showed up and delivered once again on the big stage.