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The Florida Panthers are preparing to face the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After dispatching the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, Florida enters the series against Toronto with momentum and with a familiar Maple Leafs foe in their lineup.
Among the storylines heading into the matchup is Brad Marchand’s presence on Florida’s roster following his trade-deadline acquisition.
Marchand spent nearly 16 full seasons with the Boston Bruins, faced the Leafs multiple times in the regular season and the playoffs, and is known for his gritty style of play and leadership.
According to teammate Matthew Tkachuk, who appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Friday, that outside perception is spot-on.
“He’s probably just got the experience against some of these, some of these guys, and knows when [to] get them off their game,” Tkachuk said. “Like, he’s smart with that stuff.
”He’s got some pretty good chirps.”
Tkachuk emphasized how rare it is to find players who can irritate opponents verbally and still produce, making them more complete than casual enforcers limited to bringing physicality to the game.
“The guy that makes you the most mad, and the guy that’s in your face—you know, might chirp you a little bit, but can also go on the ice and back it up and put the puck in the net and produce and ultimately win games,” Tkachuk said. “We’re very lucky to have a guy like that.”
Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) works out during warmups against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena.Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Marchand, who registered four assists in the first round, spoke about Tkachuk earlier in the series during an "NHL on TNT" interview in Game 2 of the first-round series against the Lightning.
“He’s a terrible guy,” Marchand said, joking. “No, he’s great. Keeps the room really light, but he’s ultracompetitive.
”You see the mindset he gets into when it becomes game time.”
Florida will meet Toronto in the postseason for the second time in three years. The Panthers won their 2023 second-round series in five games. This year’s Game 1 is scheduled for Monday, May 5, at 8 p.m. ET in Toronto.
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After dispatching the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, Florida enters the series against Toronto with momentum and with a familiar Maple Leafs foe in their lineup.
Among the storylines heading into the matchup is Brad Marchand’s presence on Florida’s roster following his trade-deadline acquisition.
Marchand spent nearly 16 full seasons with the Boston Bruins, faced the Leafs multiple times in the regular season and the playoffs, and is known for his gritty style of play and leadership.
According to teammate Matthew Tkachuk, who appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Friday, that outside perception is spot-on.
“He’s probably just got the experience against some of these, some of these guys, and knows when [to] get them off their game,” Tkachuk said. “Like, he’s smart with that stuff.
”He’s got some pretty good chirps.”
Tkachuk emphasized how rare it is to find players who can irritate opponents verbally and still produce, making them more complete than casual enforcers limited to bringing physicality to the game.
“The guy that makes you the most mad, and the guy that’s in your face—you know, might chirp you a little bit, but can also go on the ice and back it up and put the puck in the net and produce and ultimately win games,” Tkachuk said. “We’re very lucky to have a guy like that.”
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Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) works out during warmups against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena.Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Marchand, who registered four assists in the first round, spoke about Tkachuk earlier in the series during an "NHL on TNT" interview in Game 2 of the first-round series against the Lightning.
“He’s a terrible guy,” Marchand said, joking. “No, he’s great. Keeps the room really light, but he’s ultracompetitive.
”You see the mindset he gets into when it becomes game time.”
Florida will meet Toronto in the postseason for the second time in three years. The Panthers won their 2023 second-round series in five games. This year’s Game 1 is scheduled for Monday, May 5, at 8 p.m. ET in Toronto.
Related: Paul Bissonnette Sends Stern Warning to Panthers Before Maple Leafs Series
Related: Panthers and Maple Leafs Fire Loaded Messages Before Second-Round Series
Related: Panthers and Maple Leafs Fire Loaded Messages Before Second-Round Series
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