Brad Marchand licks Tampa Bay Lightning’s Ryan Callahan (Screenshot via YouTube)

The NHL has ordered Bruins left wing Brad Marchand to cease licking his opponents.

The first tongue lashing occurred during a Bruins game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, where Marchand licked Leo Komarov’s neck.

Did Marchand just lick Komarov?

He can’t taste good.
pic.twitter.com/32HCZlRgDY

— Duffy on WCMF (@DuffyOnWCMF) April 13, 2018

In another game, Marchand used his tongue yet again to fight back against Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan.

Sportsnet’s Chris Johnson reports Callahan said of the incident, “I don’t know what the difference is between that and spitting in someone’s face.”

Ryan Callahan on being licked by Brad Marchand: “I don’t know what the difference is between that and spitting in someone’s face.”

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 5, 2018

The NHL stepped in and told Marchand the licking had to end.

“NHL’s Colin Campbell spoke with Boston’s Brad Marchand and GM Don Sweeney today. The League put the player on notice that his actions last night are unacceptable and similar behavior in the future will be dealt with by way of supplemental discipline,” the league tweeted.

NHL’s Colin Campbell spoke with Boston’s Brad Marchand and GM Don Sweeney today. The League put the player on notice that his actions last night are unacceptable and similar behavior in the future will be dealt with by way of supplemental discipline.

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 5, 2018

The NHL also reportedly warned other teams in the league that licking opponents will not be tolerated.

#nhljets and #preds were warned this morning that licking an opponent may result in a 10-minute misconduct. Rule 75.4 (iii): “Any player who persists in any course of conduct designed to incite an opponent into incurring a penalty.” I can’t believe this is a thing I am tweeting.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 5, 2018