Antics by Bruins' Brad Marchand obscure his ability

Those antics, however, have obscured the reality that Marchand has been one of the best players in the NHL for most of the past decade.

In Boston's 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night, Marchand scored his 400th career goal. 

“Kind of the elephant in the room,” he said about reaching a milestone, per the Associated Press. “Nice to get it and I don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

Marchand is now fifth on Boston's all-time goal list, trailing only Hall of Famers Johnny Bucyk (545) and Phil Esposito (459) as well as Patrice Bergeron (427) and Rick Middleton (402).

Marchand has topped 20 goals 13 times, 30 goals on five occasions, posted at least 80 points five times and reached 100 points once. He was a first-team All-Star selection at right wing twice and a second-team selection twice.

This season, Marchand has 28 goals and 65 points in 77 games.

The statistics are one thing, but watching Marchand play is something else. On the ice, he is almost the perfect combination of talent, skill and effort. He is also one of the league's best penalty killers, leading all active players with 35 career shorthanded goals.

Marchand seemed to steadily improve himself through his first 10 or 11 seasons. One reason could be his offseason training partners.

A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and reared in nearby Hammond Plains, Marchand is one of the relatively few players from that Canadian province to reach the NHL. 

Two others — Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche — are superstars. They were born in Halifax but grew up in the nearby town of Cole Harbour.

During the offseasons, Marchand, Crosby and MacKinnon skate and train together in Nova Scotia along with a group of other NHL and elite players from the area. 

Given Marchand's natural ability, it's easy to see how he has improved his game over the years by regularly working out with Crosby, MacKinnon and others.

In addition to his on-ice skills, Marchand is one of the most respected players in Boston's dressing room. After the retirement of Bergeron at the end of last season, the Bruins made Marchand captain. 

Opponents and many fans don't like him, but teammates love Marchand, and it's easy to see why.