NHL never told Bruins' Brad Marchand to stop licking players

The NHL has confirmed Brad Marchand’s claim that he never heard from the league after he licked or kissed an opponent during a first-round playoff game.

“No, we did not contact the Bruins or Brad Marchand regarding this incident,” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told USA TODAY Sports. "It’s just not true.”

Marchand responded to a story from the Boston Globe citing multiple news media reports that he was told by the league to stop licking players, saying on Twitter, "This is false," and "false" in separate tweets.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman wrote that after Game 1 of the Toronto-Boston series, the Bruins received a, “We’d prefer if you tell Brad Marchand to stop licking people phone call” from the NHL. ESPN's Greg Wyshynski said a league spokesman confirmed that Friedman’s report was accurate.

In Game 1 of the first-round Toronto-Boston series, Marchand was captured on video kissing/licking the face of Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov. In November, Marchand kissed Komarov's cheek after the two came together after a whistle.

Marchand did not receive a penalty.

"I thought he wanted to cuddle," Marchand told reporters after Game 1. "I just wanted to get close to him. "He keeps trying to get close to me. I don't know if he's got a thing for me or what. He's cute."

Marchand has long been an enigmatic star. He’s an elite player, proven by his nine points in the opening round (and 85 points in the regular season). But he has been suspended six times for untoward acts, and was fined earlier this season for diving.

He is viewed as a villain around the hockey world. But in Boston, Marchand is loved.

What is undeniable: he’s crucial to the Bruins’ hope of winning a Stanley Cup this season.

The Bruins open their second-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.