FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — In a turn of events that would have been hard to believe earlier this year, Brad Marchand scored an overtime goal to secure a playoff victory, prompting Florida Panthers icon-turned-executive, Roberto Luongo, to celebrate with enthusiastic fist pumps and hugs.
A memorable history exists between Marchand and Luongo, starting with Marchand’s impressive four-goal streak against Luongo during the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. These pivotal goals occurred in Games 3, 4, 6, and 7, all of which Boston won, denying Luongo and the Vancouver Canucks the championship title for that season. Today, however, Luongo’s opinion of Marchand has shifted dramatically. Marchand is now a beloved figure in Florida, admired by fans, players, and the team’s executives alike. Leading the Panthers in playoff points and holding the best plus-minus on the roster, Marchand will be celebrating his 37th birthday Sunday during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“He brings so much vitality to our team,” commented Florida forward Carter Verhaeghe. “He’s incredibly energetic and you see his brilliance on the ice. He’s a top-notch player who’s been influential for so many years. He’s a game-changer who scores crucial goals at key moments.”
Verhaeghe shared these sentiments with Marchand seated beside him. After finishing his comments, Marchand leaned over, whispering a suggestion to Verhaeghe, who willingly included it. “Also quite good-looking,” Verhaeghe added with a grin.
Once a staunch playoff adversary of the Panthers, Marchand has now become a cherished player in Florida in a remarkably short time. The dramatic trade deadline deal that brought him from the Bruins to the Panthers generated buzz back then and has only grown in significance. His overtime heroics on Friday further cemented his legacy against Toronto, a team he has triumphed over in playoff series on four occasions.
“Coming here, I felt immediately welcomed,” Marchand expressed. “I’ve formed some strong friendships quickly. Witnessing what this team is accomplishing and contributing to that effort makes it easy to be fully committed and enjoy the process.”
Entering Saturday’s games, Marchand leads all active players with the most career postseason points among those still in competition. His decisive goal Friday marked his 146th playoff point, equaling Alex Ovechkin’s career total. Though three others — Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Nikita Kucherov — boast higher career playoff points, their teams are out of the current playoffs.
Marchand’s wealth of experience is invaluable, particularly for a team already seasoned by last year’s run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Panthers forward A.J. Greer, who previously shared a locker room with Marchand in Boston, praised him as “an extraordinary individual and a remarkable player who earns universal respect.”
“He fulfills many roles and brings immense value to this team,” Greer stated. “We’re thrilled to have him with us, and I think the fans adore him too. A couple of months ago, nobody could have predicted he’d score the game-winner for us, but it’s been a remarkable journey, and we’re elated he’s part of it.”