The Florida Panthers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs by a 6-1 final score in Game 7 on May 18. With this, the Panthers have advanced to the Eastern Conference Final for the third year in a row, and former Boston Bruins star Brad Marchand is a big reason for it. 

Marchand dominated against the Maple Leafs in this series for the Panthers, recording three goals, eight points, and a plus-6 rating in seven contests. This includes scoring a goal and posting two assists in Game 7 for the Panthers. 

Marchand played a major role in the Panthers winning this series with his excellent play, and he has given the Bruins one last gift in the process. With Marchand helping lead the Panthers past the Maple Leafs, the second-round pick the Bruins received from Florida is set to change to a first-rounder. 

The conditions of the trade are that the 2027 second-round pick the Panthers traded to the Bruins for Marchand would change to a first-round pick if Florida wins two playoff rounds and Marchand plays in 50% of their post-season games. Now, the Panthers have checked off the first condition, and Marchand only needs to play in one more game to officially hit the second condition. This is because Marchand will play in his 13th game of the post-season in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, and the Panthers can play a maximum of 13 games after it. 

Marchand certainly did his part to get the Panthers past the Maple Leafs in the second round, and the Bruins undoubtedly benefited from it. It will be fascinating to see if he can stay hot for the Cats as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes next round from here. 

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Photo Credit: © Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images