Marchand on Liljegren - a deep dive

This is an in-depth look at what I think each player was trying to do and why I wouldn’t even pretend to suspend Marchand here. What would you do differently if you were either player?

[@VFTC]

Great look and explaining the mechanics. I forget that sometimes people just don’t know how many things happen in hockey and why players move the way they do.

[@Joey-ov8gy]

The left leg in particular the hip & it's forward rotation give it away.... I hope The Rat gets another suspension & promptly Karma comes calling first game back... He's hurt a lot of players in the past... He sure as hell has a good one coming

[@mike8099m]

I agree with your take . Basically everyone on the other side is just saying it’s marchand so it was dirty . This to me was just a bad fall . And I agree a trip sure but suspension is just people that hate marchand.

[@svecile1]

If Marchand was turning his stick over to get the puck, why is he raising it up in the air - if he kept it low he could have actually gotten the puck instead of taking Liljegren's feet out from under him

[@bobhenry6159]

Great analysis. I'll just add that Liljegren put himself in a terrible position using his right leg to impede Marchand. Even if Marchand bails on the play, Liljegren would have had a tough time getting his legs in position to slow enough to avoid hard wall contact.

[@MapleDogs82]

Having watched so many of your analysis videos that absolutely nailed it during the last playoffs, I can't believe you are giving Marchand so much benefit of the doubt. The can opener and the stick guides his left foot into the boards? Brad knew what he was doing and how to make it look like an "accident" to confuse even you sir.

[@bobknight6394]

thats a trip ...

[@redjem13]

If the man didn't have a reputation of predatory slew foots, I'd be on your side.

[@justind3047]

Best case scenario it’s a reckless stick play by Marchand thats result should be a major penalty. Realistic scenario Marchand shouldn’t be jamming his stick low like that if he’s trying to box out the other player’s stick, he put it into his feet on purpose.

[@gardenofsound7814]

It's typical Marchand dirty work. He 100% knew what he was doing,

[@rickcrandall4264]

What are you smoking we are talking Marchand. History says suspension

[@randypendleton2529]

I guarantee Marchand knows and has done this before. You say the other player is going to win the race. No, the puck is closer to Marchand and he pulls up on purpose to do this move. It was purposeful and he is a absolute punk. Worst cheepshotter in the league. Without a doubt. 🤨😤🧐

[@David-ib1xt]

😢😢😢

[@lachlangray8120]

It's funny, this is what I thought until seeing this video. It's the feet, not the stick. With the slow motion I think it's really hard to defend Marchand's foot positioning at 3:25-3:35 in this video. He is putting his full weight onto his back foot to brake, and he turns his other ankle very late. I don't see any reason he would have the instinct to open his hips like that, other than to hold Liljegren's foot in place. Notice the left heel engage the ice at the last second. Liljegren created the possibility, but Marchand had other options for sure. These guys are coordinated. To say he *definitely* meant to do it isn't fair, but at the same time, Marchand has his reputation for a reason and doesn't deserve credit imo. EDIT: wrong time stamp

[@pw9522]

Have you seen the 40minute compilation of Marchand slewfoots? He does it all the time guy

[@ToughCall]

Search “Marchand” on this channel and see all the times I would have fined or suspended him. I know his history. You can’t convict on history.

[@kevinhoock9742]

Trip near the boards at that speed is very dangerous . He's a known dirty player and should of never been made the Captain . !

[@themanmtlcdn1472]

Dude ur correct 37 lost his balance and watch there helmets

[@clark1066]

All of the movement was from Liljegren, his fault/accident by Marchand.

[@nrdejong]

even if a player steps on your stick, if they fall from that it's a tripping call. Marchand has to be in control of his stick and keep it away from Liljegren's feet, even if Liljegren makes contact first.

[@jamesberry3230]

Yes! Liljegren should have been given a 2 min penalty for interference neither player was playing the puck therefor Liljegren can not impede Marchand as he attempted to do, it is a penalty

[@clark1066]

@@jamesberry3230 I wouldn't go that far, players defend like that all the time. It's just not usually near the boards, which put both of them in an awkward spot.

[@nrdejong]

@@jamesberry3230 they were both playing the puck. That's why they were going hard into the endboards, because that's where the puck was

[@guybrushthreepwood2567]

Good analysis, but - you have to take into consideration Marchand's history of these "accidental injuries". Fool me once..

[@VanCityAdventurer]

Pulled the leafs left skate out.

[@12345easyas]

I played hockey AND believe me Marchand did it on purpose!! Have you ever heard of slewfoot? You must be a Bruins fan or a sick person!!! Plus Boston has a history of the NHL's favorite team. Not giving them the proper suspensions AND helping the team win... which includes the Stanley Cup. Sports are fixed and this is a great example of it!

[@DDD-qt8bw]

Wrong. If you played you didn’t play it well.

[@matthewfroese3889]

Thanks for the clear explanation. I don't totally buy your thoughts on what Marchand was trying to do - he doesn't deserve any benefit of the doubt to me. He could have been aiming to tie up the stick only, but he's got a reputation for cheap shots and slew foots that makes me think doubt his intentions were only puck related. Glad you did mention that it should have been a tripping call. Regardless of any supplementary or not, he should have sat for two.

[@dezcanada]

2 Mins Tripping suspension?

[@daveyboy2497]

Sick commentary

[@CAhockeydude]

See, the thing is, I agree that it is trip. But at that speed, that close to the boards, it's also a very dangerous trip. For arguments sake, let's say you're right about the intent and what Marchand was ttrying to do. You still have set precedent in your videos before that a dangerous trip, even without intent, you still gave a fine for it. I don't know if you've changed your mind on those since then, but this one, that I'd argue is more dangerous, doesn't get one. Just seems a little off to me, especially since Marchand has such a thorough history

[@Buttmannopfer19]

would that have been an icing? that being said, look at how Marchand positions his stick...

[@foxnewsguy1]

Marchand is a consistently dirty player and doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt. With his history of questionable plays how can you say it wasn’t intentional? It certainly looks intentional to me

[@denisjl100]

marchand is a cheap shot artist who knew exactly what he was doing. he could have put his stick in front of liljegren, but instead stuck it between his legs and incapacitated the defenseman's foot so he couldn't stop properly. he then jams his right skate against his other foot to incapacitate his other foot. marchand has made this an art. he is a slew foot artist that hides behind the gorillas on his team. stirs it up and lets other clean up his mess.

[@daveyboy2497]

It’s a slewfoot, look at Marchand’s left skate, you are having a hard time to defend Marchand

[@nrdejong]

At minimum, it's a tripping call. Doesn't matter if he didn't mean to, Marchand's stick took Liljegren's leg out from under him. In such a dangerous, high speed situation? I think a major would be justified, although it would be surprising by league standards

[@gordonbgraham]

Can-opener/Slew-foot while going full out into the end boards...dirty af! 5 games. Marchand puts his stick between Liljegrens legs...not across his body like Liljegren does with Marchand (holding him up, while preventing him to go into the boards full steam)...Marchand intentionally puts his stick between Liljegren's legs, then with two hands yanks upward while sticking his knee in the back of Liljegren's...a totall dirt-bag dirty play that could cost a guy a career. It's a wonder Liljegren doesn't have a brain injury the way his head violently hit the ice.

[@benjaminelliot7865]

you do realize how fast this game is played and that accidents happen, right? if this was any other than player than Marchand, I bet you'd be fine with it.

[@gordonbgraham]

@@benjaminelliot7865 speed has no baring on that play. Marchand is in full control of what he’s doing there, using two hands to put between his legs and yank up pitch fork style with his knee behind Liljegren’s.

[@markdorsey3319]

You are right, Marchand is in full control, Liljgren is not. That is why Liljgren fell.

[@gordonbgraham]

@@markdorsey3319 That’s funny 😆

[@joeidaho5938]

I just don't trust Marchand for one second, in regard to not having intention to use dirty tactics. The missing part here is intention. This stuff happens all the time...but doesn't turn out with this end result. Not saying it deserves a suspension....but he should have taken a few punches for doing this. That's where the Leafs always fail.

[@kellywendlandt3940]

Way over analyzing. Marchand is responsible for his stick. Even if we assume Marchy was just competing really hard and did not want to give up on the puck, he's still responsible for the stick. 90% of players would have went shoulder to shoulder in Marchand's position; they would bump and then scum for the puck without significant momentum going into the boards. Because putting your stick down by a guys feet at full speed will eventually result in a serious trip in the most dangerous part of the ice. And yes, it's why Marchand is elite. He plays harder than other guys. But in this case he's putting other guys careers in jeopordy with that fierce competitiveness. And it's not acceptable. I understand most Boston fans,(or some other fans) or meat-head hockey coaches, don't care. But the league should, and the NHLPA does. Simple call. He should be suspended for multiple games. Probably as long as Liljergrin is out.

[@rborr774]

Speaking of way over analyzing. Exactly what you just did. Liljegren went hard after the puck and so did Marchand. When you are ahead chasing the puck you use your body to knock the other guy out of the way. The guy chasing isn't going to use his body to initiate a check. Lead guy should know where the boards are. Liljegren failed to do that. Player following will always stick check to try to win the battle. Bad accident.

[@kellywendlandt3940]

@@rborr774 no matter how you analze it, or don't, Marchand is responsible for his stick. His stick lift's liljergren's left skate off the ice going into the boards. It's a trip. It's a can opener. At high speed racing into the boards.

[@rborr774]

@@kellywendlandt3940 there is no way he should have been suspended for this incident as you said. His stick comes down and he doesn’t purposely intend to lift the skate. His head was up the entire time. A penalty should have been called but no suspension because there was no intent. The league saw the same thing. Knowing Marchand and his style of play they would have suspended him quickly if there was intent based on past behavior.

[@kylemeridith9611]

sorry but as the rules state you must be in control of your stick at all times. marchand wasnt and broke his ankle.

[@gregmacewen6330]

Marchand new exactly what he was doing When he knew he wasn't getting to the puck first. He positioned his body to slew foot Liljegren. A clean player would have cut hard left to avoid the dirty play.

[@chriswertz1438]

I disagree, at that speed what Marchand did was dirty. He was basically causing an uncontrolled crash, taking away the defenders ability to safely slow down. That's as dirty as it gets, you never see that when 2 players are going full speed into the boards. His stick is used to hide his left leg taking the players balance away! He should be suspended for a whole year, and fined a million dollars. DIRTY trick intentionally injuring another player.

[@asifaasyasif7719]

Wow

[@hippytrout68]

A rat is a rat is a rat.

[@macrie123]

As much as I dislike Marchand, you are absolutely correct sir.

[@edited1325]

Clean.

[@joeidaho5938]

The movements just look dirty...from Marchand....and so it actually is dirty, in my opinion. The guy does this stuff all the time...making it look like a legitimate play....and yet he is playing dirty. This is NOT the way to naturally use your legs and feet in this situation. This stuff happens all the time...and yet this end result is absolutely rare.

[@1974greymalkin]

Good players, playing good Hockey. Its a shame he got hurt, but he went in to the corner just as hard as Marchand. 2:00 minutes for tripping.

[@Test_Tickles]

Your call is absolutely wrong. A hundred years of Hockey Skating Mechanics says you do not try to hockey stop at full speed with straight legs, you always bend your knees when hockey stopping. Yet Marchand, already with a dubious history of cheap shots and slew foots, is clearly keeping his left leg straight to push Liljegren's right leg forward so he would lose an edge. This is proven @ 1:25 on your video, Marchand's legs are not mirrored, his left skate takes a completely different path than his right skate, watch as he steers his left skate to the left, then straight under the leg, then back to the right to initiate the hockey stop. The video also clearly shows, and you rewind on it several times, where Marchand is putting all his braking power on his right skate so he retains the ability to slew foot with his left. After he gets the slew foot, he THEN uses his left skate to help stop. Marchand is so good at this technique now that he can make some people believe it was clean even when they rewind it a hundred times at 240hz refresh. You are so wrong on this call.

[@bobhenry6159]

I don't know what you've been watching, but I see the knee lock hard stop all the time. Not many players have the leg strength to try a full stop with bent knees. Look at Liljegren's legs. He's going into the wall spread eagle. That's nuts. I HATE Bradly, and I wouldn't mind him taking a suspension for a hockey play like this, just because he has gotten off easy on way too many sh!t plays.

[@Test_Tickles]

​@@bobhenry6159 Bending knees (increasing shin angle) is literally the first step in teaching children to skate, proper form dictates a bent knee for strides and hockey stops. This isn't my opinion, it's a fact of the sport. To stop with straight legs is at best demonstrating incorrect form, at worst it's an invite to a fall and injury. To say professional hockey players don't have the leg strength to stop with bent knees isn't just hilarious it's also patently false on so many levels. Please go pause the above video at 3:31 and notice Marchand's straight leg pushing Liljegren's right leg, and Marchand's stick between Liljegren's legs while pushing OUT on his left calf. This is TEXTBOOK can-opener and the exact reason why you see Liljegren going into the boards spread-eagle, Marchand made that happen.

[@bobhenry6159]

@@Test_Tickles Let me clarify my comment. Hard stop is front leg straight, trailing leg bent. Your leg analysis of Marchand is just wrong. It makes no sense and doesn't prove anything. Apply your 'leg rule' to Liljegren and see how it works out.

[@Test_Tickles]

​I'm going to let your comment "not many players have the leg strength to try a full stop with bent knees" speak for itself and realize you aren't familiar with skating mechanics. That's cool, you don't have to play the sport to enjoy the sport. I think you should hit up the local public ice rink one of these days and try it though, good cardio. One day though, Marchand will be permanently eating dinner through a straw if he keeps this sh!t up against a fed-up opponent.

[@bobhenry6159]

@@Test_Tickles Nice rabbit hole. lol

[@markgriffiths2698]

WTF is this guy talking about. Are we watching the same thing. Look at the history and I know that the league will so why is this guy talking about it.

[@ToughCall]

Can’t call it by the history. Have to take the names out of it and look at the play objectively.

[@stupid7648]

It's like diving your car into a 🧱 wall out of control no 🤔

[@brutalplanet1708]

Love this guy....just like i did Avery. Hockey would suck without guys like these...

[@gregmacewen6330]

I like tough hockey, but I don't like dirty hockey. Marchand is a dirty player, period.

[@Leafsdude_]

I don't think this explanation holds water. You say Marchand's just trying to reach for the puck, but then why does his stick end up perpendicular to it and in Liljegren's skates? I know you mentioned Liljegren's stick in his waist, but Brad's stick is on top, so it's not being compromised by it. He's fully in control of it throughout the play. I don't think I've ever seen someone put their stick in someone's skate like that in a race for a puck. Or, at least, not without people calling shenanigans on it. I don't think it being Marchand changes that view, I think it just makes a lot of people less willing to let it go.

[@aaronphilip8785]

A player is responsible for their stick. Marchand should be banned for 82 games.

[@mr.bright_side]

Hahahahahaha

[@DDD-qt8bw]

IF you had a brain it should be removed as defective.

[@toddfraser3677]

Typical Cheap shot Move by Marchand. Dirtiest Player in the League. At least he didn't Lick him!!

[@vince9647]

The referees are disgusting .

[@DDD-qt8bw]

And they were correct in this case.

[@mr.bright_side]

100%. Marchand trying to go stick on stick.

[@gregorsmith]

You’re so on the money here. Leafs fans much like the team they root for are the softest in the NhL. There must not be any tissues in a hundred mile radius of Toronto. Pusses.

[@johnnystones8498]

Liljegren was falling before Marchand even touches him.