Clifton TKO's Miller at center ice

The Boston Bruins welcome the Dallas Stars to TD Garden this evening for what is sure to be a heated game between two big, physical teams. 

And thankfully, those of us who appreciate a good tilt didn't have to wait long for a scrap to break out.

Check out Bruins defender Connor Clifton taking down Stars defenseman Colin Miller with what NESN broadcaster Jack Edwards described as a 'TKO':

Not bad, not bad. But let's not get carried away, Jack.

It's not like this is a Milan Lucic throwdown. This is Clifton and Miller hugging each other until Clifton lands a single upper cut. Not exactly Domi vs Probert here...

I could go off on a rant on Edwards and his broadcasting style, but I'll save that for another day.

In any case, I do like seeing Clifton getting more involved physically. The 27 year old native of Long Branch, NJ isn't the biggest guy on the Bruins' blue line corps, but he has no problem sticking up for himself and for his teammates. And, he's actually been pretty involved offensively this season, as well. He has an impressive four points in the Bruins' first six games to start the campaign and looks likely to blow his career high of 10 points out of the water by next week! In total the Quinnipiac University product has five goals, 24 points and 104 penalty minutes in 160 career NHL games, all with the Bruins. He's a few years removed from his last stint in the AHL, but still hasn't really established himself as an everyday, regular NHL defenseman. With the likes of Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo both missing time for the B's this season though, Clifton has the opportunity to take ahold of a full time spot. If he keeps dropping the mitts like this, he's bound to make an impression on new Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery.

And hey... if not, well then maybe Clifton can get a job in the UFC because that was one well executed take down on Miller. Let's get this guy in the Octagon!