Can openers are pretty intentional, orchestrated moves. This isn't just "battling"...it's trying to take an opponent out of that battle using a dangerous move.
You won't convince me that it wasn't intentional or just "jostling for body position". Just like a lick of the face, Marchand doesn't follow rules. He likes to dance around them in a cocky way that shows no respect for his opponents. He crosses lines.