BOSTON -- Frustration for the Boston Bruins has boiled over into practice.

Forward Brad Marchand and defenseman Torey Krug were involved in a brief scrum during Tuesday’s session at TD Garden as the Bruins prepare to face the Penguins on Wednesday night in Pittsburgh. The two were battling for a puck in front of the net, and when the play ended, both were locked up and wrestled each other into the end wall.

Assistant coach Doug Houda yelled at both to knock it off, and then teammates -- including goalie Tuukka Rask and forward Reilly Smith -- helped separate Marchand and Krug.

A few minutes later, both led the post-practice stretch at center ice. Afterward, coach Claude Julien didn’t seem to think it was a big deal.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing and that’s why I didn’t even react,” Julien said. “If they’re wrestling and there’s no punches thrown, they just wouldn’t let go of each other and guys went in and separated them. They looked at each other and five seconds later they’re laughing at each other. I think it was for real, but also I don’t think it was that serious.”

Marchand and Krug had their respective stories straight when the locker room opened for media access. The story was that Marchand told one of Krug’s close friends that he was taller than the Bruins’ defenseman, which angered Krug.

Marchand tried to explain that Krug’s “friend” is his brother’s fiancé’s friend. “Yeah, way down the line,” Marchand said with a smile.

It’s also possible the two were trying to spark their teammates with the scrum.

“Just competing in practice,” Krug admitted. “Tempers flare a little bit. Nothing crazy but obviously you saw afterward we were fine with each other. Who knows, maybe this is what our team needs a little bit.”

Currently, the Bruins are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference and third in the wild-card race. After the team’s practice, Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs said everyone in the organization is being evaluated, calling the season to this point “unacceptable.”

“It’s no secret in here that guys are not happy with where we’re at,” Krug said. “It’s got to start somewhere so why not in practice. I thought after that you noticed the guys were a little more intense and having some fun. Who knows, maybe it could be good for our team. Maybe we can use that tomorrow.”

Added Marchand, “Obviously you don’t want to be going at each other in practice. Sometimes things happen and hopefully that all carries over into the game.”