Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe did not seem too impressed with the playing style of Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand in Game 3. Following a 4-2 loss in this match, the 43-year-old coach took a swipe at the forward and hit out at his ‘unbelievable‘ ability of getting away with penalties.
Marchand has been known across the league for his hard-hitting style of play. During the 2023-24 regular season matches between this two teams, the Canadian international had been in the spotlight for his actions against Timothy Liljegren and his war of words against Ryan Reaves.
In a tight Game 3, Brad Marchand turned out to be the difference maker once again. In the third period, he would set up Jake Debrusk before scoring twice to help his team take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Keefe though was not pleased with how the forward star was able to get away with some penalty calls. In the post-match conference, he would label this ability of Marchand as an “art” and claim he is “elite” at it.
He gets calls. It’s unbelievable, actually, how it goes. You’ve got to play through that stuff. I don’t think there’s another player in this series who gets away with taking out Bertuzzi’s legs the way that he does. It’s an art and he’s elite at it.
Sheldon Keefe on Brad Marchand.
“It’s an art, and he’s elite at it.” -Sheldon Keefe on Brad Marchand getting away with things pic.twitter.com/Z1xOQV3m3F
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 25, 2024
In a tightly contested game in enemy territory, the Boston Bruins needed someone to step up and inspire the team. Thankfully for them, their captain Brad Marchand stood up and delivered a heroic performance which left his coach Jim Montgomery amazed.
Marchand’s first goal came just seconds after the Leafs had scored in the third period. As the Scotiabank Arena celebrated the equalizer from Tyler Bertuzzi , Marchand sweeped in and silenced the crowd with a powerful shot to put the Bruins 3-2 up.
He would end up wrapping the game in the dying moments with an empty goal to hand his side an important win. While speaking to the press after the game, Montgomery would highlight that he (Marchand) has always “risen” in such top occasions.
He has always risen to big moments. If you look at his career points in the playoffs… Wow… I just think there is a burning intensity in him to win.
Jim Montgomery said.
Coach Montgomery on Brad Marchand's leadership on Wednesday: "Morning skate, I saw the way we were, I saw the way our Captain was…I knew we were coming to play…he started barking before the first drill…I go, 'it's three minutes early.' He goes, 'LET'S GO!' I loved it." pic.twitter.com/oQWrN5nRDL
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 25, 2024
The empty-net goal turned out to be Marchand’s 55th career playoff goal. Whereas, his game winning goal turned out to be his 12th playoff winner. A victory for the Bruins on Saturday, April 26 will put them in the driving seat in the series and make Game 5 an elimination one for the Maple Leafs, which means the pressure will be more on them on deliver when they take to the field at the TD Garden in Boston.
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