FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Brad Marchand is not someone who holds onto grudges.
He certainly remembers the hit to the head from Florida’s Sam Bennett last spring that sidelined him in the Bruins’ second-round playoff series. However, he is not going to let that affect him as the teams prepare to meet for the start of the 2024-25 season on Tuesday night at Amerant Bank Arena.
“It’s part of the game. He definitely got away with one when you see the replay and everything but that’s how it goes. I’m not holding any animosity…I’m gonna play just as hard as I always do,” Marchand stated after the Bruins’ morning skate at the Panthers’ training facility.
“At the end of the day, this is two points we’re out there to get, and nothing changes the past. It’s all about being in the moment and moving forward. We have the same goal this year, with a different opportunity. The aim is to not let these guys prevent us from achieving it again.”
He acknowledged that the Panthers remain a formidable team that the Bruins will need to navigate to reach their goals. “I think we’re built a little different this year, and hopefully we give ourselves that opportunity. At the end of the day, they got the better of us on every play in that series…you remember it and try to be better next time.”
While Marchand emphasized that the Bruins would not dwell on history, he recognized that the upcoming season opener against their rival is bound to be emotionally charged.
“I wouldn’t say it will be more special, but it’s definitely gonna be more intense,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to have two of the best teams in the league match up against each other…we’re excited to get out there. They’re obviously going to be energized after their celebration tonight. It’s going to be a very intense game for sure.”
Marchand also noted that the Bruins would look to leverage the Panthers’ Stanley Cup banner-raising ceremony as motivation.
“It’s obviously what we want to achieve,” he remarked. “There’s a long road ahead, and the goal every year is to witness that banner rise the following season. I suppose you can use it as motivation. It symbolizes what every team in the league is striving for. Ultimately, we’re more focused on the foundation we’ve built as a group.”
He concluded by emphasizing the necessity of staying present for the game. “It’s an opportunity to see what it could look like down the road, but for us, it’s all about being in the moment and being ready to play tonight and putting our best game on the ice.”