BOSTON -- Brad Marchand wasnt telling exactly what he said, but it was plain to see on the ice.
The impish Bruins forward chirped out a few choice things to Devils forward David Clarkson and the rest of the New Jersey bench after nailing the game-winning shot in last nights 2-1 shootout win at TD Garden. The winning score was a simple five-hole attempt that ticked off Johan Hedberg's paddle on the way into the net, but it was effective all the same.
Clarkson had been holding a running conversation with Zdeno Chara among other Bs skaters throughout the overtime game, and was Jersey's best player while scoring their goal on the strength of a team-high seven shots on net.
The Devils power forward finally had a friendly chat with the always-verbose Nose Face Killah after a whistle in the extra session. Television replays showed Clarkson making a gesture with his face that clearly was meant as a pejorative insult about the size of Marchands nose, and that got both players chirping at full speed.
The jibe wasn't exactly original as other combatants have gone down the same road with Marchand in the past, but it really served as fuel to Boston's chief agitator. Claude Julien was asked about Marchands shootout score and his antics through the game after the victory, and spoke as a coach that knows his players very well after being in Boston for six seasons.
So he knows that he truly doesn't know what's going on with Marchand.
Hes very unique, so well leave it at that, said Julien.
Boston Bruins
Marchand only had one shot in his 19:29 of ice in the overtime victory, and seemed to be one of the players struggling mightily in the second day of back-to-back games against the Hurricanes and the Devils.
It was tough bouncing back, but we found a way, said Marchand, who is tied with Nathan Horton for the team lead with three goals. I think the main thing is, we have to keep our shifts short, and we were pretty good at that. We were pretty stingy. We didnt give a ton. We played a good game.
But that didnt stop the left winger from succeeding once his number was finally called as the sixth Bruins skater selected in the shootout session.
Then Marchand skated closely by the Devils bench while looking directly at his taunting opponents, and told them exactly what he thought of them. He added even more verbal barrages after Tuukka Rask had gloved the final New Jersey scoring attempt.
Those are the kinds of moments where ever-constant 247 cameras and microphones would be invaluable.
Yeah, there was some chirping going on all game, admitted Marchand, who has been uncharacteristically quiet in the agitating department this season. It was good to give it back.
Just dont ask Marchand to recount how exactly he beat Johan Hedberg for what amounted to the game-winning shot before Rask made a strong glove stop on Marek Zidlickys last gasp attempt.
Apparently he doesnt remember exactly what he did in the shootout, either. Strangely this is the kind of explanation many people expected out of Marchand coming straight from the summer of Stanley Cup celebrations.
I just blacked out. Im serious, I blacked out, said Marchand with a smirk on his face. I dont know what happened. I just made a move and shot and looked back, and it was in.
For the record Tuesday's heroics was Marchands first career shootout attempt, so perhaps he needs to black out a little more often for the coaches to call his number.
Sinking a game-winner cant exactly hurt his case, or take away from his post-game chirping material.