No more licking, NHL tells Bruins' Marchand

The NHL wants Boston Bruins wing Brad Marchand to find a different way to annoy opposing players -- preferably one that doesn't involve licking them.

League officials reportedly called the Bruins' front office this month and asked them to deliver the message, according to an article posted on SportsNet, a Canadian sports news site.

The reported phone call came after Marchand pressed his mouth to the neck of Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov during Game 1 of the Bruins' Stanley Cup playoffs series against Toronto and appeared to lick him.

It was an attempt by Marchand to disrupt Komarov's game.

The Bruins could not immediately be reached for comment.

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After the game, Marchand was asked by a reporter, "What is it about Komarov that makes you want to cuddle with him?" according to the Boston Globe.

"He keeps trying to get close to me," Marchand replied with a wry smile. "So I don't know if he has a thing for me or what. But he's cute."

The two players have a bit of a history. During a game in November, Marchand appeared to attempt to plant a kiss on Komarov's cheek. Asked about it afterward, Komarov said, "I kind of liked it."

A message was communicated to Marchand through supervisor of officials Mick McGeough, according to ESPN.com.

Marchand has three goals and six assists in seven playoff games for the Bruins, who begin their second-round series at Tampa Bay on Saturday.

--Field Level Media