Marchand has 2 assists to help Panthers win 4-3 in his emotional return to Boston

Marchand has 2 assists to help Panthers win 4-3 in his emotional return to Boston | iNFOnews.ca
Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand, right, celebrates after a goal by right wing Mackie Samoskevich (11) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

BOSTON (AP) — Brad Marchand had two assists in his emotional return to Boston, and Carter Verhaeghe scored the winner with 27 seconds left to help the Florida Panthers beat the Bruins 4-3 on Tuesday night.

Boston rallied to tie it after trailing 2-0 lead in the third period, then Marchand skated through the neutral zone and flipped the puck ahead to Eetu Luostarinen as he burst ahead of the last defender and beat Jeremy Swayman to make it 3-2 with 10 minutes to play.

With the Boston net empty, Morgan Geekie made it 3-3 with 1:31 left. But Verhaeghe broke the tie with 27 seconds to play.

Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 28 shots for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

Swayman made 19 saves for Boston, which lost its fifth straight game after starting Marco Sturm’s coaching tenure with three wins in a row.

Marchand received a standing ovation when he was the last player to leave the ice after the pregame warmups, and then another when the TD Garden scoreboard played a highlight video from his time in Boston.

The four-time All-Star and the last remaining member of Boston’s 2011 Stanley Cup championship team, who was dealt to Florida at the trade deadline last season, broke down as he waved to the crowd and tapped his heart.

Marchand, who went on to help the Panthers win their second straight Stanley Cup title, drew a tripping penalty 33 seconds into the game and was swiping at the puck in the crease on the ensuing power play along with Mackie Samoskevich, who was credited with the goal.

A.J. Greer made it 2-0 in the second period. Pavel Zacha and Elias Lindholm also scored for Boston.

Up next

Florida hosts Pittsburgh on Thursday night.

Boston hosts Anaheim on Thursday night.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Marchand has 2 assists to help Panthers win 4-3 in his emotional return to Boston | iNFOnews.ca
Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (63) looks for the rebound as Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) drops for a save during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Marchand has 2 assists to help Panthers win 4-3 in his emotional return to Boston | iNFOnews.ca
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a stick save on a shot by Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov (91) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Marchand has 2 assists to help Panthers win 4-3 in his emotional return to Boston | iNFOnews.ca
Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (63), who played for more than 15 seasons with the Boston Bruins, acknowledges fans during a standing ovation during a break in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Marchand has 2 assists to help Panthers win 4-3 in his emotional return to Boston | iNFOnews.ca
Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (63), who played for more than 15 seasons with the Boston Bruins, taps his heart during a standing ovation during a break in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

Jimmy Golen

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles