
Brad Marchand shares emotional truth about chasing the Stanley Cup with Panthers
Brad Marchand shares emotional truth about chasing the Stanley Cup with Panthers (Image via Getty)
Every year, the Stanley Cup Final gives hockey fans thrilling games, but this year feels different. The 2025 Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers has caught everyone's attention.
As the series continues, one player has spoken up about just how intense things have become. What he shared gives a rare inside look at the battle on the ice and why this Final stands out.
Brad Marchand opens up about the close fight between Panthers and Oilers
Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand spoke to Florida Hockey before Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 13, 2025. Regarding the complexity of this series right away. Marchand joined the Panthers following an earlier this year trade from the Boston Bruins.
Now in his fourth career Stanley Cup Final, he called this one 'one of the tightest series anyone will ever see.'
— dailyfaceoff (@dailyfaceoff)
Marchand, 36, knows what it takes to play under pressure. In 2011, he won the Cup with the Bruins. He has also played in two other Finals since then. This is his first one with the Panthers, and he says it's like no other. 'This has been a pretty incredible one,' he said. 'The talent on both teams and how close every game has been—it's been very exciting.'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn
IC Markets
Đăng ký
Undo
So far, the Panthers and Oilers have been evenly matched. Every game has been full of energy and strong defense. Fans have seen goals, hard hits, and big saves from both sides. Marchand's words reflect what many people watching already feel this Final is not just about skills, but heart and fight.
Also Read:
Brad Marchand's heartwarming moment with daughter post Game
Brad Marchand explains the emotions behind
chasing the Stanley Cup
In the same interview, Brad Marchand talked about the emotional side of chasing the Cup. He said the Final is 'a little nerve-wracking at times,' but also very rewarding.
'We're all big fans of the game,' he shared. 'To have two great teams playing this way, it shows why we love hockey so much.'
He also explained why this trophy is so special. 'This is why the Stanley Cup is the hardest to win,' Marchand said. 'You never know what will happen. You need to give your all every second.'
Brad Marchand's honesty shows how much this series means to the players—and how close the Panthers and Oilers are in this race for the Cup.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
WTC Final: Full list of records broken during SA vs AUS clash at Lord's
South Africa's long wait for a major ICC trophy finally ended with a five-wicket triumph over Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord's. The historic win, which came 9,722 days after their 1998 Champions Trophy title, delivered an emotional high for South African cricket, breaking a 28-year jinx on the grandest stage. Chasing 282, Aiden Markram's fluent century set the tone for a commanding victory that left Australia stunned at the 'Home of Cricket'. As captain Temba Bavuma guided the Proteas to silverware, the team carved new milestones—setting WTC records, extending win streaks, and delivering one of Lord's most memorable run chases. This victory didn't just hand them the mace—it reshaped their legacy in red-ball cricket. A Title That Took Decades South Africa's wait for a global title was among the longest in cricket. After the win, team members suggested it was more than just a trophy—it was redemption. With this, the Proteas became the first side outside the "big three" to win a WTC title. The drought had lasted for over 26 years, spanning across multiple generations of cricketers and fans. Markram's Masterclass in Pressure Aiden Markram's 136 off 207 deliveries was widely seen as the defining knock of the final. According to team insiders, Markram had set his sights on making an impact in the fourth innings, and he delivered in style. It was his third fourth-innings century—only Graeme Smith (4) has more for South Africa. His innings ensured a composed chase, even as wickets fell at the other end. Lord's Witnesses Second-Highest Successful Chase South Africa's pursuit of 282 is now the second-highest successful fourth-innings chase at Lord's. It was also the Proteas' fifth-highest run chase in Test history, and strikingly, four of those five instances have come against Australia. Analysts noted that this trend reflects South Africa's psychological edge when chasing against the Baggy Greens. A Historic Win Streak This win marked South Africa's eighth consecutive Test victory, starting from their home series against West Indies last August. Team officials confirmed it as the second-longest winning streak in their history—just one short of the nine-Test streak recorded in 2002–03. Notably, the current streak is the longest ever in WTC history, surpassing the seven-match stretches recorded by both India and New Zealand in earlier cycles. Bavuma Equals Chapman with Captaincy Record Temba Bavuma's leadership has been spotless so far. With nine wins and one draw in his first ten Tests as captain, he now shares the record for most victories in the first ten matches by a Test captain with England's Percy Chapman. The coaching staff has credited Bavuma's calm under pressure and clarity in decision-making for the team's newfound consistency. Sporting Jinxes Falling Everywhere 2025 has been a year of sporting droughts ending. Football saw Bologna lift a major title after 51 years, Newcastle United break a 56-year dry run, and Tottenham Hotspur win a long-overdue European trophy. PSG finally lifted the UEFA Champions League. Closer to home, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's 18-year wait for an IPL crown ended. Now, South Africa has added its own moment of triumph to this growing list of jinx-breakers.


News18
an hour ago
- News18
Marnus Labuschagne Likely To Be Dropped After WTC Final, Coach Hints
Last Updated: Marnus Labuschagne is facing the axe after his failures in the WTC Final against South Africa despite a switch in the batting position. After Australia's five-wicket loss to South Africa in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord's on Saturday, head coach Andrew McDonald has hinted at possible changes to the top order, including a likely snub for Marnus Labuschagne, ahead of the new cycle starting in the West Indies. Labuschagne was promoted to open alongside Usman Khawaja for the first time to accommodate all-rounder Cameron Green at number three. However, this strategy failed as Labuschagne failed to convert stars, continuing his poor form, while both Khawaja and Green struggled even more. 'It was a big discussion leading into this Test match, and I was on the record a couple of weeks ago talking about the need to bed down that opening combination," McDonald told the media. 'We've had a bit of musical chairs there, so it might be the time. But as we sit here right now, you got to say that South Africa were better in this Test match. We've got to look at the improvements that we need to make. There's no doubt about that." Mostly batting at number three, Labuschagne averaged just 27.82 in the 2023-25 WTC cycle. McDonald gave a mixed answered on his form, saying that though Australia value him and are 'confident' he could be back to his best, 'most players get dropped' at some point. 'Anyone that averages 45, 46 in Test cricket at that age is important," the coach said. 'We've got older players there that are closer to the end than the start. We've got some younger players that are coming in. If he can get his game in good order for the next four or five years, he can underpin that batting order. But at the moment, he'd be disappointed with the returns. He's missed out on big scores. But we're confident that he could return to his best, and hence why we keep picking him. And at what point do we stop picking him? I think most players across their journey get dropped at some point in time. I think he had a positive week here where he worked on the right things and had a great prep. There's no harder worker than Marnus. Now it's really just about the returns. And at the moment, as I said, he'd be disappointed," he elaborated. Regarding Khawaja, McDonald was more certain and clear with his backing, hinting the left-hander could be given a similar opportunity to David Warner when he was nearing the end of his Test career. 'He's on contract; he's an important player. He gives us stability at his best at the top. And we like to look at our players at their best. No doubt, a couple of failures here, and people then start to talk about maybe it's the end. I don't see an end date with the way he's training, the way he's preparing, and the way he's moving. He went back to Shield cricket and got 100 last (season). So I think he's got plenty of runs left in him. It'll come down to his inner drive and the way he prepares." 'It was a bit the same with Davey as well. The way he moved, we saw some positives in that. We knew that the runs were around the corner. We feel as though Usman's got a big part to play," he concluded. (With IANS Inputs) First Published: June 15, 2025, 13:55 IST


Economic Times
4 hours ago
- Economic Times
Panthers vs Oilers: Panthers beat Oilers 5-2 in Game 5, inch closer to 2nd successive Stanley Cup title
Reuters The Florida Panthers' remarkable road record in these playoffs improved to 10-3. They now have the opportunity to secure the Stanley Cup at home in Sunrise during Game 6 on Tuesday night. (Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images) Brad Marchand netted two goals, while Sam Bennett recorded his 15th goal of the playoffs, leading the Florida Panthers to a 5-2 victory against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 on Saturday night in Edmonton, bringing them closer to their second consecutive Stanley Cup Panthers' remarkable road record in these playoffs improved to 10-3. They now have the opportunity to secure the Cup at home in Sunrise during Game 6 on Tuesday night. Unlike previous matches in the final, Panthers established and maintained a substantial lead. Sergei Bobrovsky demonstrated solid performance, saving 19 of 21 shots, supported by effective defensive play that restricted the Oilers' movement. The offensive contributions came from Marchand, Bennett and Sam Reinhart. Marchand achieved a notable milestone, joining Mario Lemieux as the only players in 50 years to score five-plus goals in multiple finals, while accumulating 13 career final goals, the highest among current players. Connor McDavid scored his first goal of the series after the Oilers fell 3-0 behind. Reinhart responded 46 seconds afterwards, restoring Panthers' three-goal advantage. Corey Perry's goal with 3:13 remaining proved Luostarinen confirmed the victory with an empty-net goal at 1:19, quietening the home Oilers' power play was unsuccessful in three attempts, as Panthers' aggressive penalty kill disrupted McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and their primary unit's usual effectiveness. Calvin Pickard experienced his first defeat in eight starts this spring, conceding four goals from 18 shots. He replaced Stuart Skinner after winning Game 4 as a substitute, moving his record to 7-1 from 7-0.