The most hated player in the NHL is the Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand and that simply isn’t a question at this point. Everything he does bothers the fans of any other team in the league, this time the Carolina Hurricanes and their captain Justin Williams.
In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Brad Marchand came up high on the head of Justin Williams with his stick as he skated by but got no penalty. However, the reaction of Justin Williams led to him entering the penalty box as he ripped at Marchand’s helmet and got in the face of the Boston Bruins winger.
Marchand would happily point to the penalty box and give the a hand symbol of the ‘C’ for captain on Williams’ sweater, as he headed over to the box.
This would lead to another Boston Bruins goal on the power play on their way to a Game 2 victory. Justin Williams would call it a ‘poop sandwich’ following the game eluding to what he ate when he fell for Brad Marchand’s antics.
Brad Marchand pesters Justin Williams into a penalty — then signals the Carolina captain to the box. pic.twitter.com/0OPveb224V
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) May 12, 2019
In Game 3, you could see that Brad Marchand remained under the skin of Justin Williams, as he’d commit three penalties that would limit the momentum of his team every time it looked as though they had some.
Marchand only added salt to the wound of Williams and the Hurricanes when he would score the second goal of the game for Bruins, which would prove to be the game-winner in the 2-1 victory.
It is never truly a shock when Brad Marchand and the word ‘drama’ are involved with each other, but this time is different as his drama has not been detrimental to the team. He is using his pestering ways to get under the skin of his opponent and remaining out of the penalty box at the same time.
Brad Marchand’s actions, especially the hook to the neck of Williams these playoffs have led to plenty of Boston Bruins haters calling for Marchand to be suspended or looked at deeper in games. Instead of that occurring, Marchand is second in playoff points with 6 goals and 10 assists for a total of 16 points which is sure to anger fans more and more.
After being in plenty of messes in the Toronto and Columbus series, Boston Bruins fans are sure to never ask Marchand to change his play or he wouldn’t be the same guy we have all fallen in love with over the course of his first 100 play-off games.
Angering opponents and their fans while scoring game-winning goals is the perfection of Brad Marchand and why the drama that he creates is so worth the ride.
What will Marchand do in Game 4? We will certainly watch and enjoy as the Bruins go for the sweep.