Bruins win vs Devils: Brad Marchand deserves Hart consideration

It’s no secret that the Boston Bruins have been inconsistent and have struggled in the goal-scoring department this season. Some games they’re scoring just one goal or none at all, and others, they’re scoring 3+ goals.

However, one of the only consistent factors of the Bruins’ offense this season has been star left wing Brad Marchand.

Over the last few seasons, Marchand has evolved into a complete, elite hockey player. After starting off his career as more of an agitator/goon type of player that often got suspended and penalized. But now, Marchy has matured and is now a player that plays great defense and can also put up a bunch of goals and a ton of assists.

However, because of his prior history, many overlook Marchand’s excellent play and still think he’s this dirty player. But this is just not the case, as he’s been the Black and Gold’s best player this season and deserves consideration and votes for the Hart Trophy for the league’s MVP.

Brad Marchand showed exactly why he deserves Hart consideration against the Devils.

Tuesday night against the Devils was Marchand’s return from a two-game absence due to a false positive result from a COVID test. The B’s struggled to score these two games, as they went scoreless for the first 40+ minutes against the defensively-challenged Buffalo Sabres, and then were shutout by the struggling New Jersey Devils.

However, with the return of Marchand, the Black and Gold managed to score four goals, including their first 5-on-5 goal, against the Devils. It was obvious Marchand was a big reason why Boston was able to get four passed MacKenzie Blackwood, who was the goaltender who shutout the B’s just two nights prior.

Marchand brought much-needed energy and tenacity to Boston and finished the night with a goal and an assist because of his strong play.

Through 30 games this season, Marchand has 13 goals and 23 assists for 36 points. His 23 assists and 36 points lead the team while his 13 goals is second only to David Pastrnak (14 goals). He leads the team in points by nine and in assists by three.

Marchand isn’t just producing points by sitting in his own zone, however. He plays in every situation and is able to produce in all of them. He’s a key element to the B’s very strong penalty kill and has three shorthanded points to show for it (one goal, two assists).

Without Marchand the B’s may be out of a playoff spot right now. If that doesn’t tell you how valuable he is, I don’t know what will. Because of this, I think he should be at least one of three finalists for the Hart Trophy this season.