Brad Marchand’s four goals and eight points led his Boston Bruins in both categories to earn himself NHLPA.com Player of the Week.
The native of Halifax, Nova Scotia matched those four goals with four assists over three games, thanks to a pair of multi-point performances that helped him end the week on a high note with a milestone game.
The Bruins started the week on the road to St. Louis, where Marchand turned in two goals and an assist as part of a 5-3 victory, helping teammate (and former Blues captain) David Backes to a triumphant return at Scottrade Center.
On Saturday, Marchand, who had no idea going in that he would be playing in his 500th game against the Philadelphia Flyers, ended up turning in a stellar five-point performance to match a career-high in points per game. He opened the scoring for the Bruins with a short-handed goal, and bookended three assists with an empty-netter.
Down a man and on a breakaway, Marchand got just enough on the puck to slide it over the goal line to beat Michal Neuvirth while he was being hooked by Ivan Provorov. The penalty was negated, but it could have meant a penalty shot.
When one reporter referred to the short-handed goal post-game as an example of 'everything just going the Bruins’ way right now,' the ever-confident Marchand smirked, “Yeah, but I would have got it on the penalty shot anyways.”
Marchand continues to lead his Bruins with 43 points and 26 assists.
Last week, he was selected to represent the Atlantic Division in the NHL All-Star Game - his first All-Star appearance.
For a complete listing of the 2016-17 NHLPA.com Players of the Week, click here.
