However, in Game 3 at Scotiabank Arena, tensions between Marchand and Bertuzzi boiled over into a physical altercation late in the second period. Engaged in a slashing battle near Toronto's blue line, both players tumbled to the ice, creating a distraction that allowed Trent Frederic to capitalize with a game-tying goal against goaltender Ilya Samsonov.
The goal ignited the Bruins, leading them to a 4-2 victory and a 2-1 series lead. However, after the game, Bertuzzi downplayed Marchand's role in the pivotal sequence.
«Yeah, I mean, that stuff is going to happen with anyone,» Bertuzzi told reporters, per a team-provided video. «So, it's just normal.»
As a gritty left winger, Bertuzzi, who played for Boston in the latter half of last season, anticipates what to expect from Marchand in the future.
«I mean, he's a great player. It's what he does,» Bertuzzi told reporters. «He's been doing it for a long time. So, I don't expect it to stop.»
Sheldon Keefe expressed significant frustration with the events preceding Frederic's goal. The Maple Leafs head coach believed that Marchand should have been penalized for "taking out Bertuzzi's legs," emphasizing that ''not one other player in this series'' would have escaped without a penalty from the referees.
Toronto's ability to even the series will be crucial on Saturday night as they aim to avoid being pushed to the brink of elimination on home ice. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.