Marchand joins rare company with ageless scoring run

At 37 years old, Marchand reached the 20-goal mark faster than almost anyone his age in league history. Only Alex Ovechkin and Brendan Shanahan have done it quicker at 37 or older. That's the list. Three names, across generations, and Marchand is firmly on it.

What makes it stand out is context. This isn't a player being sheltered or force-fed power-play looks. Marchand is driving play, logging hard minutes, and carrying offensive responsibility on a Florida Panthers team that has spent all season without Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov.

His 20th goal also came at a moment that mattered. It ignited Florida's historic comeback against Carolina, flipping belief inside the building and reinforcing his value beyond raw production. When the Panthers needed urgency, Marchand delivered it.

For a player once labeled purely as an agitator, this late-career scoring surge feels like a full-circle moment. He still plays on the edge, but the foundation of his game now is awareness, timing, and efficiency.

Here's the fan truth, this isn't supposed to happen anymore. The league is faster, younger, and less forgiving to players pushing forty. Yet Marchand doesn't look like he's hanging on. He looks like he's still dictating shifts.

Statistically, his scoring pace puts him in elite historical territory. Ovechkin did it with power. Shanahan did it with strength. Marchand is doing it with anticipation and hockey sense, finding space before defenders realize it's gone.

Tactically, Florida benefits from that reliability. Marchand doesn't need games scripted around him. He fits anywhere, adjusts to linemates, and still produces. That flexibility has been crucial during a season full of lineup shuffling.

There's also a psychological edge. Opponents know he's dangerous, and that hesitation creates openings for others. Marchand's presence still tilts ice, even when he isn't on the scoresheet.

This run isn't about chasing history. It's about proving relevance.

Brad Marchand isn't surviving at 37. He's thriving. And the list he just joined suggests this season might not be done surprising anyone yet.