{"id":554904,"date":"2026-04-18T00:27:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T00:27:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/554904\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T00:27:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T00:27:44","slug":"former-bruins-captain-brad-marchand-reacts-to-missing-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/554904\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Bruins captain Brad Marchand reacts to missing playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBoston Bruins\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tCurrent Bruin Nikita Zadorov disagreed with Marchand\u2019s viewpoint.<\/p>\n

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\n\tBrad Marchand expressed his \u201cchampionship or bust\u201d mindset while reflecting on the Florida Panthers’ season. Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff\t<\/p>\n

In a somewhat unpredictable turn of events \u2014 especially for Bruins fans circa 2022 and prior \u2014 Brad Marchand will be watching the NHL playoffs from home, while the Bruins are in the postseason.<\/p>\n

Marchand\u2019s Florida Panthers missed the playoffs this year, and Boston rebounded from last season to earn a wild-card spot in 2025-26.<\/p>\n

The Bruins traded Marchand to Florida at last year\u2019s trade deadline after it became clear the team was not in serious playoff contention, and Marchand promptly won a Stanley Cup as a result. He then re-signed with the Panthers this offseason, but without the same fortune.<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters, Marchand gave his thoughts on missing the postseason.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the end of the day, what\u2019s the difference? Losing in the finals and not making the playoffs,\u201d Marchand said. \u201cYou don\u2019t win. There\u2019s one winner and everyone else is a loser. \u2026 This gives us more time to prepare for next year and become an even better team.\u201d<\/p>\n

#FlaPanthers<\/a> Brad Marchand on not making the playoffs:<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the end of the day, what’s the difference losing the finals and not making playoffs? You don’t win. There’s one winner and everyone else is a loser\u2026it gives us more time to prepare for next year and become an even\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/aMYNMkiSDx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Katie Engleson (@KatieEngleson) April 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

As a veteran with plenty of playoff experience, it makes sense for Marchand to have a \u201cchampionship or bust\u201d mindset. However, current Bruin Nikita Zadorov disagreed with Marchand\u2019s stance on missing the playoffs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m playing hockey,\u201d Zadorov told reporters. \u201cI don\u2019t want to go out there, play 82 games and not make the playoffs. I think that\u2019s a waste of a year for me, you know what I mean? You want to be playing these games.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nikita Zadorov does not agree with this comment from Marchand: \u201cThat’s why I’m playing hockey. I don’t want to go out there, play 82 games, and not make the playoffs. I think that\u2019s a waste of the year for me. You know what I mean? You want to play these games.\u201d https:\/\/t.co\/QT4XSDiFao<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wJfAsBaHkI<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) April 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Zadorov has a few playoff appearances under his belt already, most recently with the Canucks in 2023-24. He\u2019ll make his Bruins playoff debut Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres.<\/p>\n

The towering Boston defenseman is certainly eager to take his hard-hitting play style into Buffalo, and look to upset the young Sabres team that just ended a 14-year playoff drought this season.<\/p>\n

Zadorov and the Bruins face off with the Sabres at 7 p.m. Sunday for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Boston is searching for its first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 2019, and its first championship since 2011, the squad that included a young Marchand.<\/p>\n

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