Marchand says Bruins aren't fixated on setting records: 'Nobody cares'
Despite winning at a record-setting rate through 56 games, Brad Marchand insists the Boston Bruins aren't hung up on any potential regular-season glory.
"People have talked a lot about some of these records, that we could potentially hit or we have hit," Marchand said, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "Nobody cares about those in this room. We could care less about any of these regular-season records. Because they really don't mean anything."
The Bruins (43-8-5) are currently on pace for 133 points and 63 wins, which would set two NHL records. The 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens hold the benchmark in points (132), while the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings and 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning share the title for victories (62).
"Before we were going through this season, if you asked any of the guys on this team who owned any of those records, nobody would know because nobody cares. Because it's not about the regular season," Marchand said. "As soon as somebody brings it up, it's in one ear and out the other."
The 1977 Canadiens won the Stanley Cup, but the Red Wings and Lightning were ousted in the playoffs. Tampa was famously eliminated in a first-round, four-game sweep at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
This year's Bruins - who set an NHL record with 15 consecutive home victories to start the season - look like they'll cruise to the Presidents' Trophy, but that's not the hardware Marchand is after.
"If you win the Presidents' Trophy but you don't win the Cup, nobody cares," Marchand said. "That's what we know on this team."
Only eight teams have won the Presidents' Trophy and Stanley Cup in the same season, most recently the Chicago Blackhawks in the lockout-shortened 2013 campaign.
The Bruins are looking to win their first Stanley Cup since 2011 - Marchand's second year in the league. Boston returned to the final in 2013 and 2019 but fell short each time.
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