Pat Maroon challenges his teammates ahead of playoff matchup vs. Leafs

A matchup that hockey fans everywhere wanted to see came to fruition, as it will once again be an Original 6 clash between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 1 of the upcoming Eastern Conference Quarter Finals. 

The upcoming matchup between the two teams in the opening round will mark the third encounter since 2018-19. For Toronto, there's a sense of determination as they aim to break the pattern, given that Boston emerged victorious in both previous matchups.

The Bruins picked up a key reinforcement at last month's NHL Trade Deadline, acquiring 2019, 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup winner Pat Maroon in a deal with the Minnesota Wild. While not an offensive threat, Maroon brings valuable championship experience for a team looking to lift the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2011. 

Maroon only recently made his debut with his new team, as he was recovering from back surgery. But needless to say, he can't wait to get started in the most important time of the season. A three-time champion in his own right, Maroon knows what it takes to succeed in the postseason.

"This is the time to see who has it and who doesn't," Maroon said about the upcoming postseason. 

"It's the best time of the year," he said. "A lot of excitement in this room...we're all looking forward to it. It's gonna be a great challenge for us....this is where we all put our work boots on and come together as a group."

In 150 career postseason games that include stops with the Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, and Tampa Bay Lightning, Maroon has tallied 23 goals to go with 28 assists. His biggest postseason goal came in double overtime of Game 7 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Dallas Stars.

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