Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
MONTREAL — Kiefer Sherwood has a message for the NHL Department of Player Safety.
Sherwood, after all, knows something about hitting people. Last season, the winger set an NHL record, tracked league-wide since 2005-06, with 384 hits.
So when Sherwood calls Charlie McAvoy’s Thursday hit to his head “dirty and unnecessary and just stupid on his part” — it’s not any common complaint.
Sherwood added: “If anyone can attest to being physical — humbly — I know, obviously, you know where you’re aiming for. There’s a difference between hitting to be physical and hitting to hurt, and I don’t think any of my hits last year were ever to the head.”
McAvoy hit Sherwood high with seconds left in the San Jose Sharks’ 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins at TD Garden, setting off a small melee.
Sherwood was animated after morning skate at Bell Centre, both when talking about the “bullshit” hit and how his San Jose Sharks teammates stood up for him.
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