Brad Marchand is undeniably king of the pests in the NHL. You’d have to go back to the Sean Avery days to find a bigger one, but even he wasn’t as annoying to play against if you factor in the equally frustrating scoring prowess Marchand has developed in recent years.
Sure, Matthew Tkachuk can get under opponent’s skin, but nobody has been doing it for as long and as effectively as the Boston Bruins forward. One of the side effects of being such a nuisance is that it puts a much bigger target squarely on your back.
That doesn’t just mean for opposing bruisers to head hunt (although, sometimes…), but fans RELISH the opportunity to make fun of a pest. When Marchand accidentally left the puck at centre while trying to convert a crucial shootout attempt, Twitter immediately began salivating like the world’s largest pack of rabid dogs.
Even Gritty got in on the action.
The dust has all but settled on the situation, at least as much as it ever will, but EA Sports decided to kick the dust up a little bit when announcing updates NHL 20.
How mad would you be if you’re playing as the B’s and Marchand leaves a game-tying shootout attempt at centre ice?
(H/T Josh Hyman)
