Watch: Bruins Thug Jumps Opponent for Celebrating Goal

By Ross Kelly October 4, 2018 at 2:06pm

The defending Stanley Cup champions looked like the defending Stanley Cup champions when the Washington Capitals crushed the Boston Bruins 7-0 on opening night Wednesday.

It was the second-largest shutout in a season opener in NHL history and the largest shutout in a season opener by a defending champion.

But while Washington clearly won the war, one member of the Bruins took it upon himself to claim a battle victory for his side.

Bruins winger Brad Marchand took exception to the way Caps center Lars Eller celebrated the seventh and final goal of the night. Eller gestured toward the Boston bench while skating off the ice.

Lars Eller's goal celebration pic.twitter.com/6SIRbQSxXx

— Артем Гаев (@gaevart) October 4, 2018

When he re-entered the ice, Marchand was waiting for him and clearly had revenge on his mind.

The Bruins left wing started a fight with Eller when he wasn’t even involved in the action on the ice and took him down with a couple of right-handed shots to the face.

Eller was left with blood gushing down the side of his head — and somehow received a five-minute penalty for defending himself in a fight.

Marchand got three penalties: instigating (two minutes), fighting (five minutes) and misconduct (10 minutes). The penalty times ran concurrently, so with just over six minutes left in the period, Boston finished the game with four players and a goalie on the ice.

Afterward, Marchand told Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press why he started the fight with Eller, saying, “His celebration was unnecessary.”

Brad Marchand on why he fought Lars Eller: "His celebration was unnecessary. He took an angle in front of our bench and celebrated in a 7-0 game. So I just let him know."

— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) October 4, 2018

This certainly isn’t the first time Marchand has taken his frustration out on another player as he’s been disciplined multiple times for multiple violations over the years.

Should Brad Marchand be suspended for his actions?

Marchand has been suspended six times for a total of 19 games due to such things as elbowing, spearing and clipping. He has also been docked over $1 million in fines since coming into the league in 2009.

Eller’s teammate, T.J. Oshie, said Marchand’s history should be a factor as the NHL decides whether to discipline him again.

Capitals' T.J. Oshie: "You see out there tonight the sucker-punches that Lars (Eller) took in. (The NHL) kind of set the standard. (Brad) Marchand has a history and we trust that they'll do what they're supposed to do and take care of business."

— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) October 4, 2018

For now, Marchand will be free to take the ice when the Bruins visit the Sabres on Thursday night. Buffalo won three of four games vs. Boston last season despite finishing with 50 fewer points in the regular season.

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