Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Brad Marchand keeps finding moments that feel bigger than the box score, and friday night delivered another one.
Trailing by three goals with less than ten minutes remaining in the third period, the Florida Panthers looked finished against the Carolina Hurricanes. Then Marchand stepped in. His 20th goal of the season didn't just cut the deficit, it flipped the emotional switch inside the building.
That goal sparked Florida's rally and set the stage for a comeback the franchise had never pulled off before. According to NHL stats, it marked the Panthers' first ever win after trailing by three goals in the final ten minutes of regulation. History changed fast once belief entered the equation.
Brad Marchand (33 GP) became the fastest player to record 20 goals in a season for the Panthers at age 37 or older. The only other Florida players to hit the mark at that age or older are Jaromir Jagr (56 GP in 2015-16) and Joe Nieuwendyk (57 GP in 2005-06).
Marchand's goal was classic him. No hesitation, no panic, just a read and a finish when Florida desperately needed one. At 37, he understands moments better than most, and he rarely lets them pass untouched.
Once the ice tilted, Florida poured on pressure. The Panthers simplified their game, activated defensemen, and funneled pucks toward the net instead of searching for perfect looks. Carolina retreated, Florida attacked, and the gap disappeared shift by shift.
Brad Marchand defines Florida Panthers belief
Statistically, the milestone matters too. Twenty goals this season puts Marchand firmly among Florida's most reliable finishers. His production has helped steady a lineup still missing star power.
Tactically, Florida earned this comeback. Defensemen held the blue line instead of backing off, forwards collapsed hard to the slot, and puck support showed up in layers. This wasn't desperation hockey, it was controlled aggression.
The shootout win that followed almost felt like a formality. By that point, the Panthers had already won the emotional battle. Carolina survived regulation, but momentum belonged entirely to Florida.
This comeback fits the larger trend. Florida has now won seven of its last eight games and looks increasingly comfortable living in tight, uncomfortable situations. That's the sign of a team connecting with its identity.
Marchand didn't just score a goal. He opened the door to something the Panthers had never done before. Those moments linger. They change belief. And belief, especially this time of year, can carry a team a long way.