Entering the Stanley Cup Final, there was an expectation that a future Hall of Fame player would put on a show worthy of being labeled one of the best the NHL has seen during his career.
We just thought it would be someone else.
There is no arguing that Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid possesses a combination of talents that put him in a class all his own.
That’s why there was a bit of an expectation that he would stand out during the championship series for all the right reasons.
Now while McDavid has quite good during the Final, racking up a goal and six assists so far in the five games against Florida, he hasn’t exactly taken the series over or blown anyone away with his otherworldly skills.
Instead, the player who has captured everyone’s attention and basically grabbed the NHL by the shirt collar and said “Hey, remember me?!” is Panthers forward Brad Marchand.
“It’s just him, that’s how he is,” said Florida center Anton Lundell. “He really has this passion, you could see (in Game 5), he decided he wanted to go out there and be the difference maker, and he did that.”
He sure did.
Marchand hit the ice for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton on Saturday and stole the show, scoring a pair of highlight-reel goals, one of which stood up as the game-winner, while helping Florida to a resounding 5-2 victory that placed them one victory away from winning the Stanley Cup.
“It’s those big moments when you need guys to step up,” said Panthers forward Sam Reinhart. “Time and time again, he’s there to produce.”
And produce he has.
So far during the playoffs, Marchand has racked up 10 goals and 20 points through Florida’s 22 postseason games.
Of those 10 goals, six of them have been scored during the Stanley Cup Final.
“He’s very gifted offensively,” said Lundell.
Marchand’s contributions to the Panthers go well beyond just the scoresheet, though.
According to his new head coach, Marchand is also a source of constant positive energy and feedback for his teammates.
Whether in the locker room, at the practice rink or on the bench during games, Marchand is constantly talking to his fellow Cats, pumping them full of good vibes and hockey knowledge.
“He does everything, he’s a guy that that we follow,” said Panthers forward Sam Bennett. “He’s a natural leader, he speaks up when he needs to speak, and he goes out there and does the hard work that is inspiring for guys. We all look up to him and look to him to lead, and he’s done a fantastic job.”
It’s not like the skills and veteran savvy that the 37-year-old Marchand possesses come as any big surprise.
He’s been one of the best in the game throughout his career, but now that the Panthers are seeing all the little details up close, they are getting an even better perspective on what makes him so special.
“The thing about players, when they come in, is you have a really strong idea (about them), you do all your pre-scout, you get it, and then you get on the ice with them in practice, and hat’s when you learn,” said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. “I said this right from the start, clearly, he’s closing in on 1,000 points, he’s got good hands, but I didn’t fully appreciate a small area things that he can do, and that’s the most difficult to do. It’s not the rink-wide pass on the tape that you get excited about, but what he can do under duress in a small area is world class, it’s as good as I’ve seen.”
As we enter the home stretch of the Final, it’s interesting to remember that it wasn’t Marchand we were expecting this kind of in-your-face production from. It was McDavid.
But alas, the most recent, crucial game in the Stanley Cup Final, which was played in Edmonton, did not see anyone in an Oilers sweater stealing the show.
Nope.
It was Marchand scoring a pair of eye-popping goals while helping his Panthers reach within one win of a Stanley Cup Championship.
“Those are the goals you look on YouTube when you’re a kid and try to go out and practice yourself,” said Lundell. “We’re all pretty amazed by him.”
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Photo caption: Jun 4, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) reacts after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in game one of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)
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