Brad Marchand of Halifax, Nova Scotia once again delivered with playoff magic on Thursday. The Boston Bruins left winger scored the game-winning goal as the Bruins defeated the New York Islanders 2-1 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. With the win, the Bruins lead the East Division Final two games to one.
Marchand scored the overtime winner at 3:36 of the extra period from two-time Canadian Olympic gold medalist Patrice Bergeron of L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec, and Charlie McAvoy. Bergeron won the gold medal for Canada at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.
A Canadian was also involved in the scoring in the other Bruins goal of the game. Taylor Hall of Calgary, Alberta picked up the assist on a goal by Craig Smith at 5:52 of the first period to put the Bruins up 1-0 at the time. The Islanders were able to tie the game at one goal apiece as Mathew Barzal of Coquitlam, British Columbia forced overtime with five minutes and 26 seconds left in regulation. However, it was not enough.
Marchand scored his first career Stanley Cup Playoff overtime winner on May 16, 2013, in a 3-2 Bruins win over the New York Rangers, in game one of the 2013 Eastern Conference semifinals. Marchand’s second career Stanley Cup Playoff overtime winner came on May 17, 2021, in a 4-3 Bruins win over the Washington Capitals, in game two of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
