Florida Panthers identity on display as Brad Marchand delivers statement vs Minnesota Wild
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Jonathan Ouimet
Jan 24, 2026 (11:57 PM)
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Video: we are so back 🐀 | ||||
Photo credit: screenshot
Brad Marchand storms back for the Florida Panthers with a game winner, two goals, and an assist, and you can feel the power play swagger again.
After days of «will he or won't he,» Marchand didn't just come back, he grabbed the night by the throat.
The tweet from Rob Darragh says it plainly: Marchand returned and scored the game winner, finishing with two goals and an assist.
That kind of line hits different when you know how much Florida missed his edge and pace.
The box score detail that matters most is the special teams punch.
Marchand scored a power-play goal in the first period, a clean reminder that he still finds soft ice when the man advantage starts moving.
He also picked up a power-play assist on Sam Bennett's goal, and that's the sneaky part of his value, he makes the second touch faster.
Brad Marchand restores the Florida Panthers bite
Those two power-play points are not «nice extras,» they are identity stuff for this group.
Marchand saved his loudest moment for overtime, burying his second goal of the night as the game winner.
That finish mattered, because it didn't just pad a three-point return, it delivered the two points and slammed the door on Minnesota for the Panthers.
Marchand's night also nudges his season totals up to 25-24-49, and it's the kind of line that tells the whole story.
He didn't just return, he produced right away, and Florida's offense looked a lot more like itself with him back in the mix.
Panthers fans love this version of him, loud, annoying to play against, and fully ready to tilt a close game.
The Bennett connection popped right away on the power play where Florida likes that net-front chaos and quick bump passes.
Now the standard is set for the next game, because once you come back with a three-point heater, nobody wants to hear «rust» again.
we are so back 🐀
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