Bruins fall 4-3 to Panthers in return of Brad Marchand

By: R. Keenan

October 22nd, 2025 10:45am EST

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

16 years, 422 goals, 554 assists, 976 points, 3 Conference Championships, 1 Stanley Cup. 37 year old Brad Marchand left a legacy in Boston and the former Bruin reminded everyone of that in his return to Boston last night. The defending champion Panthers came in to Boston looking for a win after starting the season 3-4, while Boston was coming off after a 4 game losing streak out west. Both teams in desperate need of a win to get things going in the right direction this game came down to the last minute, and left many Boston fans disappointed despite the return and tribute for Marchand.

Early on in the first period during a break the Bruins presented Marchand with an emotional and heartfelt tribute on the jumbotron. Marchand was left tearing up and visibly emotinal as he watched from the Florida bench, and waved his hand to the crowd in gratitude. The video was a perfect way to honor Marchand showcasing his antics and attitude that turned him into a Boston fan favorite while also seeing his genuine and heartfelt side in the community. We will always appreciate what your brought to the Bruins and the city of Boston, and you will always be a part of Boston sports history. Check out the tribute on youtube here.

` Now, onward with the game. Florida jumped out to an early goal 1 minute into the first period on a powerplay after Tanner Jeannot went to the box for tripping just 30 seconds into the game. Mackie Samoskevich put one into the goal just 30 seconds later to give Florida an early 1-0 after more sloppy play from the Boston hockey team. Boston would get an opportunity for there own powerplay later in the 1st after a tripping was called on Florida's goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Although, Boston would not be able to capitalize on this and the period who end up being 1-0 Florida as they headed into intermission.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

In the 2nd period Florida once again came out much stronger and faster than the Bruins, and looked much more energetic coming out of intermission. They notched another early goal just two minutes in the 2nd period from A.J. Greer in which they took a 2-0 lead. Later in the period the Bruins would again not capitalize on a powerplay after Marchand got called for hooking. The Bruins then saw about 4 straight minutes of powerplay time for Flordia after Paval Zacha was hit with a tripping at the 17 minute mark, and Lindholm called for a hook just two minutes later. The Bruins would go into the 3rd down a man, and trailing 2-0 after more sloppy and inconsistent play.

Finally, in the 3rd Period it looked like the Bruins came out with some energy. They survived the back to back penalty kills, and then Paval Zacha burried one into the net just 2 minutes into the 3rd period to cut the Florida lead to 2-1. Shortly after, Florida would be called for a cross check, and the Bruins would take advantage of this to tie the score 2-2 on a tip in goal from Elias Lindholm. Now we had a game on our hands and tensions started to flair as Jefferey Viel and Nikita Zadorov got into a scuffle with Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart resulting in all four players heading to the penalty box for roughing. Unfortuanlty, Boston did not hold onto the lead for long as at about the halfway mark of the period Luostarinen scored a goal to put Florida up 3-2. The game remaine 3-2 for the next 8 and half minutes until when little hope was left, Morgan Geekie smacked a wrist shot into the net to tie the game 3-3 with only a minute and half remaining in regulation. Hope was restore and the Garden was on their feet and cheering. For about 1 minute, when Carter Verhaeghe hit a shot of the post, whihc bounced back out in the Bruins defensive area, where the puck reflected off the skate of Andrew Peeke and back into the Boston goal to put the Panthers up 4-3 with just 25 seconds remaining. This would be too litte to late for Boston as Florida would go on to win the game.

In an emotional night at TD Garden the Bruins would drop there 5th straight game, putting them at 3-5-0 on the season. In a year that started with 3 straight wins, and some exciement around the team, things have taken a drastic turn and need to be cleaned up soon. This team has something about them, a certain grit and determination and fight, but they need to play cleaner and more smooth to get out of there own way. The Bruins will look to turn it around Thursday night in Boston as the 3-2-1 Anaheim Ducks come in to town. Puck drops at 7pm.