NHL officials called the Bruins after Game 1 of their first-round series against the Maple Leafs and asked them to tell wing Brad Marchand to quit licking opponents, Canada's Sportsnet reported Thursday.
During the game, Marchand pressed his mouth to the neck of Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov and appeared to lick him during a stoppage near the benches. It was an attempt by Marchand to disrupt Komarov's game.
The Bruins, who take on the Lightning in the Eastern Conference semifinals beginning Saturday, could not be reached for comment by the Boston Globe.
After Game 1, Marchand was asked by a reporter, "What is it about Komarov that makes you want to cuddle with him?''
"He keeps trying to get close to me,'' Marchand replied, smiling wryly. "So I don't know if he has a thing for me or what. But he's cute.''