The play happens at the 38-second mark.

During Friday’s series-sweeping Boston win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Brad Marchand did his thing. But I’m not here to chronicle another Louganisian dive or a infuriating cheap shot, instead I want to take a look at what happened when he tried to steal Sidney Crosby‘s stick during a line-change.

As Crosby dumps the puck into the Bruins zone, Marchand, loading up to make a big hit, instead softly shoves the Penguins captain in the left shoulder. Crosby skates away, but Marchand isn’t finished chatting. He grabs Crosby’s stick and refuses to let go.

Marchand is a toddler, sure, but the interesting part is Pierre McGuire and his reaction. Pierre, with a look of concern, raises his right hand twice and then, after flinching backwards from the players, lunges forward, and smiles. It’s creepy.

GIFs by welshhockeyfan

I’ve been thinking about this for almost 24 hours and I still have no idea what he is doing. I’ve got four possibilities:

A) Adrenaline has taken control, and Pierre tries to protect himself from getting hit in the dome with 87’s stick.
B) Pierre is waving to Czech homeboy Jaromir Jagr.
C) Pierre is trying to play referee, reach for Crosby’s stick, and break the play up. Then he thinks better of it.
D) Pierre is just so emotional over Crosby getting picked on, he has a temporary breakdown.

Best take another look. Enhance quadrant J-5!

Please note that the other guy between the glass doesn’t flinch. At all.

Let’s wrap it up with an excerpt from an AP story about the NHL and its great ratings in the playoffs.

The innovation Sam Flood (executive producer for NBC Sports) considers his best is the in-game segment called “Inside the Glass,” which features analyst Pierre McGuire in a section between the benches, updating viewers in real time with information he’s picked up from that unique vantage point.

“It changed the way the game was perceived at home, offering things we’d never get from an announcer two decks above the ice,” Flood said. “Coaches barking orders at players, players challenging each other — that kind of access is critical.

“It’s one more piece of the puzzle, like what NASCAR was doing with reporters in the pit, giving fans access to a place they weren’t previously allowed. The feedback’s been great,” Flood chuckled. “People tell us it’s like being part of a secret club.”

Having a reporter between the benches to give more insight into the game is great. Alan May kills it during the one game per season he is down there. But I have not met one person who enjoys Pierre McGuire’s coverage. I would love to hear this “great feedback” Flood speaks of. All I see is a bootlicking weirdo who injects himself into the story at every turn. Can someone hire him as a coach or GM already?