Fun fact: Bruins at Panthers

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Brad Marchand isn’t one to hold a grudge.

Does he remember the shot he took in the head from Florida’s Sam Bennett last spring that knocked him out of the Bruins’ second round playoffs? You can bet on it.

Will he let it consume him when the teams meet again Tuesday night at Amerant Bank Arena to open the 2024-25 season? It sure doesn’t sound like it.

“It’s part of the game. He definitely got away with one if you look at the replay and everything, but that’s how it goes. I have no animosity… I’m going to play just as hard as I always have,” Marchand said after skating Tuesday morning at the Panthers’ practice facility.

“Ultimately these are two points we want to achieve… no matter what you do, nothing changes the past. It’s about being in the moment and moving forward. This year we have the same goal, different options. The goal is to not let these guys get in the way of that again.

“They are definitely a great team that we have to compete against to achieve our goal. I think we’re positioned a little differently this year and hopefully we’ll give ourselves that opportunity. At the end of the day, they beat us in every play of this series. Remember that and try to be better next time.”

While Marchand said the Bruins wouldn’t focus on the past, he fully acknowledged that the season-opening showdown with their new rivals will certainly be full of emotions.

“I wouldn’t say it’s going to be more special, it’s definitely going to be more intense,” Marchand said. “It’s a great opportunity to pit two of the best teams in the league against each other… we’ll be excited to get going there. They’re obviously going to have a blast at the festivities they’re having tonight. It will definitely be a very intense game.”

Marchand added that the Bruins will try to use the Panthers’ Stanley Cup banner-raising ceremony to their advantage.

“That’s obviously what we want to accomplish,” Marchand said. “We have a long road ahead of us. That’s the goal every year, to see that banner raised the following season. I think you can use it as motivation. It’s a symbol of what every team in the league wants to achieve. Ultimately, we care more about the foundation we have built within the group.

“It’s an opportunity to take a look at what it could look like in the future, but for us it’s all about being in the moment and being ready to play tonight and bring our best game on the ice. “