Over a decade later, those projections could not have been more wrong and Cassidy - now Boston's bench boss - could not be more pleased.

In his early days as an assistant coach with the Providence Bruins, Brad Marchand was also coming onto the scene as a pesky winger out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Marchand, who was known as more of an agitator, was not considered to be more than a bottom-six NHLer.

Marchand secured yet another milestone for his ever-growing list of accolades on Tuesday night, notching a goal and an assist in the Bruins' 6-2 win over Columbus to reach the 100-point plateau for the first time in his career.

"Couldn't be prouder," said Cassidy, whose club clinched home ice in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs. "He's a kid that came through Providence a long time ago - we were both much younger people. He's worked really, really hard. I'm gonna guess he's worked as hard as anyone in the National Hockey League to round out his shot, his puck play.

"We've incorporated him more on the power play and he's grabbed it…he's bought into it, he's done what we've asked. He's just continued to work at it. I think he takes a lot of pride now knowing how good he can be offensively…look at him. When he's on the ice, he's deadly."

Video: BOS@CBJ: Marchand earns 100th point on Pastrnak goal

Marchand gave the Bruins a 3-0 lead with 4:46 left in the second period on his 36th goal of the season, before picking up a secondary assist on David Pastrnak's tally just 37 seconds into the third to reach the century mark. He is the first Bruin to accomplish that feat since Joe Thornton in 2002-03 and just the 10th player in team history, joining:

Johnny Bucyk

Phil Esposito

Ken Hodge

Joe Juneau

Rick Middleton

Adam Oates

Bobby Orr

Barry Pederson

and Thornton

"Any time you have a 100-point producer on your team, it's pretty special," said Jake DeBrusk, who had two goals and an assist in the win. "The things that I take away are his off-ice habits. He's an amazing player on the ice, he sees things that other guys don't see. But off ice, his preparation - him and [Patrice Bergeron] and all the leaders here are pretty similar in that.

"I think it's something that as young guys you want to be like them. They won a Stanley Cup for a reason and credit to him. It's a pretty special milestone and it was cool to be a part of."

Video: BOS@CBJ: Marchand buries loose puck from doorstep

It was the second straight game that Marchand reached a significant milestone, having broken the Bruins' franchise record for shorthanded goals (26) on Sunday night in Detroit. But Marchand was not interested in taking much credit for either achievement, instead noting that the success of the team is what is most important.

"It's a pretty good feeling," said Marchand, who was also named the NHL's Third Star of the Month for March on Tuesday afternoon. "But I think it just shows how good of a team we have, the success that we've had as a group the whole year.

"It's a cool personal stat. But at the end of the day - I've said this before - it all goes towards the same goal, which is getting to the playoffs and we're right there. It just shows again how good of a group we have."

Following Pastrnak's goal, the celebration centered around Marchand, who was mobbed by his teammates after scooping up the milestone puck in the crease. The memorabilia will be heading home with Marchand's father, Kevin, who was in the building to witness the accomplishment.

"It's going to my parents," said Marchand. "Couldn't have happened without them. I think they'll enjoy it."

Video: Marchand speaks after 6-2 win in Columbus