In 2009-10, as an NHL fledgling, Bruins forward Brad Marchand used white tape on his sticks. It was what he did in the AHL and in junior.

Zdeno Chara put an end to that.

The way the defenseman saw it, goalies did not track pucks off black-taped sticks as well as they did with white. This is a common if untested hypothesis.

Chara wrapped his sticks with black tape. He encouraged his younger teammate to do the same. Marchand, 21 at the time, was in no position to shoot down his captain.

Thirteen seasons later, Marchand has 372 career goals, 15th-most among active players. He uses black tape on his Warrior sticks. Marchand said he could never switch back to white.

Perhaps Chara was on to something.