The Boston Bruins ended up victorious against the New York Rangers on Hockey Day in America on Sunday. The Bruins completed a regular-season sweep over the Rangers for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
However, the game at Madison Square Garden didn’t live up to expectations. The contest between two Original Six rivals saw both teams fatigued from the heavy schedule over the past few days.
No game is not interesting when Brad Marchand is taking part in it. Marchand made a new friend in Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren. In the first period, both players ended up in a scrum in front of the Bruins bench. It was Lindgren who received the two minutes for roughing.
Brad Marchand and Ryan Lindgren exchange pleasantries. pic.twitter.com/TcJs3JVtUp
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) February 16, 2020
Later in the second period, Lindgren warned Patrice Bergeron not to approach the Rangers’ goal crease too closely. Marchand took the exception immediately as both tough guys wound up cross-checking each other. This time around, it was only Marchand who received a two-minute sit in the penalty box.
Brad Marchand cross checked Lindgren then got dropped ? pic.twitter.com/yRX79sOHej
— Sports ReUp (@SportsReUp) February 16, 2020
Building a new personal rivalry in just their second head-to-head contest of the season, Marchand and Lindgren were not that far away from sharing the very same locker room.
The Bruins picked Lindgren in the second round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Two years ago, ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, the Bruins included Lindgren in a trade which saw Rick Nash headed to Boston. The left-shot defenseman has skated in 48 games this season, collecting a goal and nine assists for 10 points.
Brad Marchand reacts to the Bruins’ win over the Rangers. https://t.co/eDcdLamH2W pic.twitter.com/fCuuSPJCDa
— NESN (@NESN) February 16, 2020
After the game, Marchand continued to throw shade at the 22-year-old rearguard. “He’s not going to be a player that’s going to have a very long career,” Marchand said, via NESN. “I’m not overly concerned about him. He’s a good, steady defenseman. … All the best to him, I hope he does a great job. But I can’t see it.”
Is it a promise of an interesting personal rivalry? We should find out next season.
