More NHL Playoffs: Scores | TV Schedule | Expert Picks | Odds | Mock Draft | Rumors
The NHL announced Thursday that San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres has been suspended for the remainder of the second round for an illegal hit to the head of Los Angeles Kings forward Jarret Stoll on Tuesday night.
That makes the suspension a minimum of three games and a maximum of six games.
Torres has been suspended three previous times in his career and is considered a repeat offender under the rules of the collective bargaining agreement. He received a 25-game suspension in last year's playoffs for a hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa. That suspension was later reduced to 21 games and resulted in Torres talking about how he was working to change the way he plays.
In the league-released video shown above, Brendan Shanahan said, "Rather than hit Stoll through the core of his body, Torres takes a route that makes Stoll's head the principle point of contact.
"Although we'd agree Torres might make initial contact with Stoll's shoulder, that is a glancing blow. In fact, the head is the principle point of contact. ...
"Torres neither leaps nor uses his elbow in delivering this hit. However, if he chooses to attempt a hit such as this, Torres must take a route that ensures he hits through the core of the body and does not make the head the principle point of contact."
The Sharks acquired Torres before this year's trade deadline from the Coyotes. He scored two goals to go with four assists in 11 regular season games with the Sharks, and he added one goal in their opening-round playoff series win against the Vancouver Canucks.
Stoll was injured as a result of the hit.
