You are misunderstanding the point. I dont care who the player. There is a line you don't cross. Eller crossed that line. I'm not condoning what Marchand did but I understand why he did it.
Maybe you should have watched Don Cherry lastnight. He ripped team Canada foir running up the score and over celebrating in a 14-0 win over Denmark. He feels they disrespected Denmark. And I agree. It is a very similar incident except the Danish team didnt retaliate. I'm sure they weren't happy about it.
So dont make this about Eller. Its about an idiot that disrespected their opponent. It doesnt matter who it was.
I was mainly addressing your comment about the Caps bench not retaliating, and you suggesting THAT, as some sort of proof that they, like you, felt Eller was taunting or overcelebrating.
I checked several videos, and, at best, can only get footage of Eller and the Boston bench trading some quick remarks, after he high fives with the Caps! I’m open for any other footage, if it’s out there, but with what is shown, you can’t tell if Eller is responding back to some A-hole on Boston’s bench, who may have said something first, OR if Eller just taunted them out of the blue! You just can’t tell!
If he’s just responding back, then that’s normal, and NOT taunting!
Like I said, if there’s other video, I’d be open to see it, showing definitive taunting!
If so, then I’ll stand corrected!
Until then, it’s more likely, in my mind, that a frustrated Boston player, (maybe even Marchand), said something to Eller, who not only doesn’t fight, but is probably not much of an instigator either, as they often go hand in hand! Eller said something back. Marchand, (knowing Eller can’t fight well), probably saw easy pickins, and took it to him, at the next opportunity, because Marchand, unapologetically, is known for playing dirty!
I would, however, like to see Eller try to repay Marchand! Just for his pride! We’ll see, but not holding my breath!
Additionally, Caps could not retaliate against Marchand, because he left the game immediately, and never returned before the game ended!
Rush