Marchand talks up Marner, Bruins then send Maple Leafs into break with lopsided loss
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Brad Marchand can beat you on the ice and apparently in a scrum too.
Hours before the Bruins and Maple Leafs met at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night in both clubs’ final game before the National Hockey League’s All-Star break begins, Marchand was holding court at his booth in the visitors’ locker room.
Marchand has been a friend of the Leafs in the past and was again on Wednesday. On the subject of opponents chirping during games, Marchand was asked if he engaged verbally with any Leafs, perhaps Michael Bunting, who loves to shoot verbal darts every now and then.
Marchand quickly brought up Mitch Marner.
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“I didn’t talk to Bunting much,” Marchand said. “There aren’t really a lot of guys who are willing to go into that. Mitch is out there talking about video games and his dog and these horrible new skates he got. But other than that, there aren’t many people who are willing to get involved with it.”
Marchand then changed tack, admitting he doesn’t know Marner well but is a fan of the Leafs star’s game.
“I’ve spoken to him a little bit here and there, just on the ice,” Marchand said. “I respect his game. I think he’s an incredible player.
“That’s what I usually tell him, except that he’s my favorite player. But I really like him.
“When we’re not playing them I like to watch him. The things he does are really impressive. He’s also not a big guy and he’s not intimidated. He goes in front of the net, he goes in the corners. I really respect his game. I don’t get into conversation with him very often.”
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Marchand suspects the Leafs are on the cusp of a playoff breakthrough. To do that, the Leafs may need to get past Marchand’s Bruins.
“I just think they’re dangerous,” Marchand said. “Their level of talent with JT (Captain John Tavares), he’s really committed. I’ve seen him train and take care of himself over the last few years. With (Auston) Matthews and Marner and (William) Nylander the year he’s got these guys are dangerous.
“It definitely hurts them to have (Jake) Muzzin out, it’s hard to play against him. With (Mark) Giordano back there and (TJ) Brodie, just that older experience, that’s what you need for playoff time. you see it The games we play with them, they compete fiercely and they go head to head. They are a good team, they have a lot of depth.”
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