How Brad Marchand felt about the ex-Bruin targeting David Pastrnak

There was plenty of physicality when the Bruins and Panthers met last Tuesday for a season-opening showdown at Amerant Bank Arena.

There was more of the same Monday afternoon as the Atlantic Division rivals faced off at TD Garden.

David Pastrnak was involved in most of the extracurricular activities in the Causeway Street matinee. Playing a puck into the corner in the first period, Pastrnak was steamrolled by AJ Greer as the Boston star turned his back on his former teammate. Greer’s rough shot, which went unpenalized, set the stage for a rare fight from Pavel Zacha.

Soon after, it was Brad Marchand who defended Pastrnak as he saw Nate Schmidt closing in on the Bruins’ leading scorer. The Boston captain was asked about Florida’s targeting of Pastrnak after the Black and Gold suffered a 4-3 loss.

“Usually you target the best players on the other team,” Marchand told reporters, according to The Athletic. “So every time he has the puck, they go after him. But I don’t think they were too harsh on him.”

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Marchand didn’t have much trouble with the referees not penalizing Greer for his questionable cheap shot on Pastrnak. However, the star left winger lamented that the Bruins were not strong enough in certain battles during their second defeat of the young season.