Brad Marchand understands he needs to dial it back if he hopes to avoid another lengthy suspension.
The Boston Bruins winger is set to return from his six-game ban Thursday night in Seattle. His latest suspension was the result of a roughing and high-sticking of Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry on Feb. 8.
A look back at Marchand's suspension history
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It was Marchand's second suspension of the season and eighth of his NHL career. His history of questionable antics has put a target on his back, and he's well-aware there's little room for error going forward.
“Obviously, I think what I’m taking away from this is my threshold is very low right now,” Marchand told reporters after Thursday's morning skate. “So I really just have to stay away from anything at all, which I can do.
"I’ve been able to do it for a number of years now. And again, it’s just wrapping my mind around that and accepting it, whether you agree with it or not, and move forward within the rules that I now understand are set for me.”
Marchand appealed the six-game suspension, but it was upheld by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. The 33-year-old veteran is choosing to put the incident behind him rather than appeal the the suspension further.
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“I wanted to kind of get a better understanding of where they were coming from, how they got to the decision, because we felt like it was a little excessive," Marchand said. "Not just this one, but the last one as well. So we wanted to, again, just hear them out."
Maarchand leads the B's with 49 points and is second in goals with 21 despite missing 11 games this season. He'll return to take on the Kraken on Thursday night with a new linemate in Jake DeBrusk.
Bruins vs. Kraken is set for a 10 p.m. ET puck drop.