Panthers' Brad Marchand Feels Maple Leafs Still 'Playoff Team'

Brad Marchand loves to play the Toronto Maple Leafs, and apparently, he loves to defend them as well.

Ahead of the Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers matchup on Tuesday night, Marchand spoke with the media, and essentially bashed all the 'haters' who feel the Maple Leafs are not a playoff team. Marchand made it very clear, he still feels they are, and everyone shouldn't be writing them off in December.

"What are we, 25 games in? If you think that your playoff dreams are done 25 games in, you've got bigger problems," Marchand said Monday. "I know they don't think that in the room. Obviously, with the media attention and the fan support they have in Toronto, things get blown way out of proportion up there. They definitely don't think that in the room. What are they, four points out of a playoff spot? If people are thinking they're out of a playoff spot for the season, they gotta find a new job."

"Obviously, we're two teams that should both be doing a little bit better than we are, and you're looking to build your game," Marchand said. "They're looking to do the same. Just seems like the intensity in these games always rises a little bit, so it should be a good one. Most importantly, the points are huge right now. You can't take a game off."

Marchand leads the Panthers in scoring with 15 goals and 27 points, through his first 23 games. He was a big part of the Panthers Stanley Cup run last season, which included beating the Leafs in seven games during the second round.

The Leafs have been hammered with injuries to start the year, and haven't been able to fill the gaps left by the departing Mitch Marner.