Brad Marchand isn’t looking beyond the regular season just yet
"We thrive when we play a certain way, and when we get away from that, we're a team that could be beaten."
The Bruins officially clinched a playoff berth following the results of Thursday night’s games. Brad Marchand doesn’t want his team to turn their attention away from the regular season, though.
Boston still has plenty to work on as it gears up for a playoff run, and while Marchand is proud of the Bruins for making it this far, he’d certainly rather clean up those issues than skate into the postseason with them.
“We thrive when we play a certain way, and when we get away from that, we’re a team that could be beaten,” Marchand told reporters Friday. “I think the next eight games, our biggest challenge, and what we need to fine-tune, is making sure we put that game on the ice every single night.”
“It’s about preparing the same way each night come playoff time. You can’t just flip a switch, you need to be ready.”
Last week, Boston head coach Jim Montgomery emphasized how tough this last stretch of games is for the Bruins. Down the stretch, Boston will match up against desperate teams still searching for a spot in the playoffs, as well as teams jockeying for home ice in the first round.
There’s less at stake for the Bruins, but that almost makes their position even more precarious.
“There’s a lot of teams that are fighting for their lives right now, playing really well,” Marchand said. “If you don’t have that same mindset you’re going to get caught off guard come playing time.”
As for Marchand personally, he isn’t planning on taking nights off ahead of the playoffs. The 15-year NHL veteran is still fit for a full season’s workload, having played 74 games already this season. It’s already the most games he’s played in a single season since 2018-19.
“If you can’t play back-to-backs, you shouldn’t be in the league,” Marchand said. “You should be the best-conditioned athletes in the world.”
Boston’s regular season continues in Washington D.C. on Saturday against the Capitals.
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