In the high-stakes world of NHL playoff hockey, emotions run hot—and sometimes, so do the sticks. Monday night's matchup between the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche took an ugly turn when Wild forward Michael McCarron found himself on the receiving end of a dangerous play that has no place in the game.

Using the butt end of a hockey stick to strike an opponent has long been considered one of the dirtiest and most hazardous moves in hockey. When McCarron took a butt end to the face from Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson early in the first period, he didn't hold back his feelings—about the play or the player.

"He's a dirty player," McCarron said bluntly. "He took his butt end and clearly butt-ended me in the face."

The incident unfolded along the side boards to the left of Colorado goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. McCarron delivered a hard hit on Manson, who was returning to action after missing four games due to injury. As McCarron landed on top of him, a scrum ensued, and replays clearly showed Manson making contact with McCarron's face using the end of his stick.

Tempers flared as officials separated the two players. McCarron had to be restrained from going after Manson as the defenseman skated toward the Colorado bench. After a lengthy video review, the officials handed Manson a four-minute double minor penalty—a decision that left the Wild scratching their heads, as many expected a five-minute major given the nature of the infraction.

The Wild capitalized quickly, scoring the game's first goal on the ensuing power play. But for McCarron and his teammates, the punishment didn't fit the crime.

"I don't know how it's not a five-minute (major penalty)," McCarron said. "I think the rulebook says it's a five-minute if you butt end someone in the face. He's a dirty player. He always has been. Not very well respected."

Wild head coach John Hynes admitted he didn't seek an explanation for the officials' decision to keep Manson in the game without an ejection. Manson, however, was quick to defend his 13-year NHL career and his reputation after the final buzzer.

"That's fine. If he wants to call me a dirty player, he can just look at my history. It's been 13 years and I haven't been suspended yet," Manson said. "I'm not that dirty. I think there are other guys in the league that are doing more. Was that the cleanest play? No. Was it purposeful? No. It wasn't purposeful either. I served my time. They scored on it. Benefited them. That's his perspective."

Through four playoff games this season, Manson has recorded two assists and eight penalty minutes—a stat line that reflects his physical style of play, but one that now comes with added scrutiny.

As the series continues, all eyes will be on the ice for any sign of lingering tension between these two teams. In playoff hockey, the line between hard-nosed and dirty can be razor-thin—and Monday night proved just how quickly it can be crossed.