If there’s one player in the NHL that’s synonymous with the word pest, it’s Brad Marchand. Whether it’s a slash behind the play, an egregious dive, or a cheap shot when the refs aren’t looking, there isn’t much that Marchand won’t do to give his Boston Bruins an edge.

That kind of behaviour has made Marchand one of the most hated players in the NHL by fans and opposing players alike, and it has overshadowed how dominant a player he has become.

Another reason Marchand’s abilities have been largely underestimated is the fact that he has played nearly 80 per cent of his even strength ice time over the last four seasons with Patrice Bergeron, perhaps the most respected two-way forward in the NHL, and likely the best possession driving forward over that period.

The assumption that Marchand has benefited from playing with Bergeron isn’t wrong, but there is actually a benefit for both players.

Bergeron is unequaled when it comes to breaking up plays when he doesn’t have the puck; he successfully removes possession from his opponents 13 times per 20 minutes at even strength, easily the best mark in the league for any skater. He also leads all forwards in loose puck recoveries at 23.9 per minute, meaning Bergeron is both the best player in the league at removing, and gaining possession of the puck.

Marchand is actually below team average on the Bruins for successfully removing possession from opponents, though he is good at getting to loose pucks.

To a point, Marchand is certainly riding on Bergeron’s excellent defensive play at even strength, but that’s only part of the game, and as it turns out, Bergeron relies on Marchand just as much on the offensive side of the puck.

In terms of individual scoring chances, Marchand is above team average, but isn’t leading the team, however he does lead the Bruins in successful passes to the slot; he is second in controlled zone entries, and first by a mile in scoring chances generated.

In fact, only four players have created more scoring chances per 20 minutes played at even strength this season than Marchand has. He’s the offensive engine on his line.

One of the ways Marchand manages to create so much offence is by winning races and battles for loose pucks in the offensive zone, something only two players in the NHL are able to do more often than he does.

Bergeron meanwhile, is actually below team average in passes off the rush, and controlled zone entries, and he is just average at successful passes to the slot, meaning that although he has more individual scoring chances than Marchand does, it’s Marchand’s work creating them more often than not.

While it’s easy (and fun) to rile up Bruins fans by dismissing Marchand as a creation of Bergeron’s dominance, their relationship isn’t parasitic; it’s symbiotic.

Bergeron carries the load defensively, there’s no doubt about that. But Marchand’s impact on Bergeron offensively is arguably just as large.