Brad Marchand Licks Ryan Callahan in 2nd Period of Lightning-Bruins Game 4

For the second straight series, Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand has licked an opponent. 

During Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Friday night, Marchand appeared to lick Tampa Bay Lightning winger Ryan Callahan in the midst of a dustup that was precipitated by Marchand's low-bridge hit late in the second period.

NHL on NBC showed a still image of the altercation:

Mrachand offered insight into what led to the encounter after the game, per Mike Petraglia of CLNS:

Marchand engaged in similar antics during the Bruins' first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs when he licked Leo Komarov.

"I thought he wanted to cuddle. I just wanted to get close to him," Marchand said at the time, according to ESPN.com's Emily Kaplan. "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."

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the NHL contacted the Bruins and asked if they could "tell Brad Marchand to stop licking people." 

A league spokesman confirmed that report to ESPN.com's Greg Wyshynski, but NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly later told USA Today the league never contacted the Bruins regarding Marchand's antics.