Early in his career, Marchand looked at Zdeno Chara, as a role model. Chara played for the Capitals and Islanders after the Bruins, but after hanging up his skates, he’s returned to the Bruins, first as an active alum and now as a member of the front office.

Brad Marchand came out on top in his return to the Garden in a wild finish, the Panthers beating the Bruins, 4-3.

Brad Marchand struggled to hold back tears on the ice when the TD Garden crowd gave him a standing ovation Tuesday night during his first game back as a Bruins opponent. The 37-year-old forward tapped his heart, wiped his face and waved to the crowd as both teams banged their sticks against the ice and even the referee and linesmen clapped along.

During the first extended timeout of the first period, a minute-plus Marchand tribute video played on the Jumbotron, bringing tears to the former Bruins captain’s eyes as he repeatedly saluted the fans back.