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Hockey Hugs, Stanley Cup Playoffs edition: Bouillon's third leg; sad Toews

Harrison Mooney

Hockey Hugs is a feature that celebrates the best in hugging from around the sport of hockey, because who doesn't love a good hug now and then? Have you seen a particularly good hug photo lately? Send it to puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or Tweet it to @HarrisonMooney.

New York Rangers teammates, including center Brad Richards, right, celebrate with right wing Martin St. Louis (26) after St. Louis scored the game-winning goal on Montreal Canadiens goalie Dustin Tokarski, not shown, in overtime of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals, Sunday, May 25, 2014, in New York. The Rangers defeated the Canadiens 3-2, to go up 3-1 in the series. Hockey Hugs. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

A lot has happened since we last served up a big batch of hockey hugs. Two rounds of playoff hockey. Six eliminations. And, thanks in large part to the 2014 Los Angeles Kings being a great deal more committed to staging an entertaining, compelling postseason than the 2012 Los Angeles Kings and losing three of seven every single time out, 40 games of hockey.

That's a lot of hockey hugs. And with each goal imbued with extra meaning in these do-or-die games, a lot of high-end hockey hugs, at that.

Look at this intense snuggle against the Madison Square Garden glass, for instance. And we're right there! Kudos to photographer Kathy "Ms. Frizzle" Willens for taking us right into the heart of the hug like she's got a magic school bus.

And that's only the seventh-best hockey hugs of the last two rounds. Brace yourself (and if possible, someone else, that being the spirit of this post).

No. 6, Montreal Canadiens

Dale Weise and Brandon Prust celebrate a big goal versus Boston, while a Bruins fan looks on disapprovingly. Look at that scowl. That's an elite scowl. If I wrote a blog post called "hockey scowls", this one would win.

As Boston Bruins fans watch, Montreal Canadiens right wing Dale Weise (22) celebrates his goal with teammate Brandon Prust (8) during the first period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Boston, Wednesday, May 14, 2014. Hockey Hugs. (AP Photo)
As Boston Bruins fans watch, Montreal Canadiens right wing Dale Weise (22) celebrates his goal with teammate Brandon Prust (8) during the first period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Boston, Wednesday, May 14, 2014. Hockey Hugs. (AP Photo)

"We're briefly relevant!"

No. 5, Chicago Blackhawks

Unaware that it's happening right in front of them, Patricks Kane and Sharp are moved at the sight of Jonathan Toews and Corey Crawford having a moment on the JumboTron.

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane, left wing Patrick Sharp (10) and defenseman Johnny Oduya (27) watch the replay of Kane's game-winning goal on Minnesota Wild goalie Ilya Bryzgalov as Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) greets goalie Corey Crawford (50) after the Blackhawks beat the Wild 2-1 in overtime of Game 6 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, May 13, 2014. Hockey Hugs.  (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

"I wish someone would hug me like that, Sharpie."

"Pfft. People wish I would hug them like that. Have you seen me? I'm crazy handsome."

No. 4, Boston Bruins

Johnny Boychuk sees you seeing him. Johnny Boychuck don't care.

MONTREAL, QC - MAY 8: Matt Fraser #25 of the Boston Bruins celebrates wit teammate Johnny Boychuk #55 after scoring the winning goal against the Montreal Canadiens in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 8, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Hockey Hugs. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) for 

"Heyyyyyyyyy."

No. 3, Montreal Canadiens

It's weird that no one ever talks about Francis Bouillon's superfluous third leg. It was probably difficult to make it to the NHL with that thing.

Montreal Canadiens celebrate a goal scored by Montreal Canadiens defenseman Francis Bouillon during the second period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals, Sunday, May 25, 2014, in New York. Hockey Hugs.  (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Montreal Canadiens celebrate a goal scored by Montreal Canadiens defenseman Francis Bouillon during the second period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals, Sunday, May 25, 2014, in New York. Hockey Hugs.  (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

"What's it like having three legs?"

"Well... you win a lot of races at picnics."

No. 2, Los Angeles Kings

This photo would also make "Hockey scowls".

Los Angeles Kings' Jeff Carter (77), Tyler Toffoli (73), Jake Muzzin (6), Dustin Brown (23) and Drew Doughty (8) celebrate a goal by Muzzin as Chicago Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews (19) skates behind them during the first period of Game 4 of the Western Conference finals of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs on Monday, May 26, 2014, in Los Angeles. Hockey Hugs. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

"Hey. Hey you guys. How much does Jonathan Toews suck? THIS MUCH."

"Harumph. Stupid Kings."

No. 1, Chicago Blackhawks

They may not have won the West, but at least they win hockey hugs. That's something, I guess.

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane, left, celebrates his tie-breaking goal with center Andrew Shaw against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period of Game 6 of the Western Conference finals of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs in Los Angeles, Friday, May 30, 2014. The Blackhawks won 4-3. Hockey Hugs.  (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

"HOLD ME CLOSER TINY DAAAAAAAANCER!"