Last night's game 1 between the Panthers and Bruins saw a noticeable shift in intensity, with Boston reclaiming their "Big Bad Bruins" persona from years past.
Newly acquired Pat Maroon was at the center of this transformation, actively defending his teammates and engaging in multiple scrums.
He made his presence felt most strongly when he boldly challenged the entire Panthers' bench, declaring,
This marked a stark contrast to last year when the Panthers often dictated the physical play.
Maroon's readiness to embrace his role and defend his new team demonstrates why the Bruins valued his tough, assertive style.
His actions not only energized his team but also set a defiant tone for the series, signaling that the Bruins are ready to compete with physicality and aggression.