Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand appears to have fired a warning shot at Team USA and Auston Matthews with comments about upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.

Last night marked the return of Auston Matthews to the Leafs’ lineup after the captain had missed the previous 6 games due to injury.

It also happened to be against the Leafs’ arch rivals, the Boston Bruins, which meant that you just knew that Brad Marchand would have a microphone in front of him at some point during the day.

Upon meeting with the media in Toronto, Marchand was asked about the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off in February. One thing that Marchand wished to make very clear is that Canada is planning on demolishing every team in their path. Nobody is treating this tournament as though it doesn’t matter.

“Guys are going to be out for blood. You know, we’re not out there as an exhibition match.”

With Team USA arguably favoured to win the tournament, the spotlight appears to largely be focused on Matthews and whether or not he’ll play in the event, as he has been nursing his way back to full health with a lingering upper-body injury.

With USA being the debatable favourites due to their obvious goaltending advantage, it makes complete sense for Marchand to use the brightest spotlight in the NHL in Toronto to send that message.

Marchand is a smart guy who understands psychological warfare, but he’s also the type of player who plays on the edge and will follow through on the things that he says, so you can certainly trust that he and the rest of Team Canada is placing targets on the backs of the U.S. players.

As far as last night’s game went, Marchand and the Bruins were not able to get one up on Matthews, who produced 3 points in a 6-4 Leafs win.

With the Leafs and Bruins not meeting again until the end of February, the next time Marchand and Matthews meet will be at the 4 Nations Face-Off, if Matthews participates.