Boston Bruins

Brad Marchand Playing In New Kind of Big Game at TD Garden

Published

1 month ago

February 17, 2025

Andrew Fantucchio

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Photo courtesy of Hockey Canada/@HockeyCanada on 𝕏

BOSTON — Brad Marchand is used to playing in big games at TD Garden as the home team with the Boston Bruins.

He will once again on Monday, but for the first time as a visitor with Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

“There’s some familiarity, but it’s obviously different not being the home team,” Marchand said. “I’m just grateful to be able to play in games like this, of this magnitude, in this building, in front of fans and people that I care a lot about.

“This my home at this point. It’ll be a lot of fun. Obviously, it’s different being on the other side of it, but I’m really looking forward to just trying to embrace every moment of this and playing for Team Canada, and it’s just obviously more special being in Boston and being able to do it here.”

Although there’s so much that is different for Marchand, the task at hand remains the same.

Team Canada enters play on Monday with a chance to punch its ticket to the tournament’s championship game if they can defeat Team Finland in regulation.

With a star-studded roster with the likes of Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid playing alongside Marchand, Canada was considered to be one of the favorites entering the tournament. However, a loss to Team USA on Saturday night in Montreal now has them in jeopardy of falling far below the expectations they, and many others, had of them.

“No one thought this was going to be an easy tournament,” said Marchand. “We knew that every game was going to be tough. We have to put our best game on the ice today. It’s something that a lot of guys in that room, every guy in that room, have played in big moments and big games, and it’s just another opportunity for guys to be heroes.”

The 4 Nations Face-Off has already featured plenty of emotion and intensity. That will only increase as the tournament to shifts to Boston, where Marchand feels right at home.

“Emotionally, we’re just really excited,” Marchand said. “You don’t get caught up in previous days or previous moments in a tournament like this at any point, but especially in a tournament like this. You have to continue to look forward.”

Puck drop between Team Canada and Team Sweden is set for 1 p.m. at TD Garden, followed by Team USA facing Team Sweden at 8 p.m.