Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand has played exactly 1,100 regular-season games, but for the most part, he did so decked in the Boston Bruins jersey.

Now that he’s part of the Panthers’ roster and playoff push following a mid-season trade to Florida, Marchand is still adjusting to his new surroundings.

For one, Marchand is getting familiar with the heated Battle of Florida against the Tampa Bay Lightning. And on top of that, he’s also adjusting to life alongside teammate Matthew Tkachuk.

Speaking with the NHL on TNT panel before Game 2, Marchand gave a candid, lighthearted answer when asked what it’s been like sharing a locker room with Tkachuk, appreciating his way of leading the team.

“He’s a terrible guy,” Marchand said joking. “No, he’s great. Keeps the room really light, but he’s ultra competitive.

”You see the mindset he gets into when it becomes game time.”

The 36-year-old was traded to Florida in March after contract talks broke down with Boston.

While Marchand’s reputation in Boston included years of playoff battles against Florida and Tampa Bay, Marchand said it hasn’t taken long to feel the stakes of the rivalry now that he’s part of it.

“You can tell the rivalry as soon as you start talking about the other team,” Marchand said. “You can instantly feel the hatred that they have for us, we have for them.”

Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) skate against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena.

Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Following the Game 2 victory by the Panthers, forward Sam Bennett made it clear how personal the series has become, echoing Marchand’s “hatred” comments from before the puck drop.

“The rivalry is growing,” Bennett said. “You know, we just hate them more and more every time we play them. It makes for good hockey.”

Florida leads the series 2–0 heading into Game 3 on home ice, where they can complete a first-round sweep if they don’t surrender any games in Sunrise.