Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena had no shortage of fireworks, as the home team pulled off a nail-biting 5-4 victory. The spotlight quickly shifted to Sam Bennett after an awkward collision with Anthony Stolarz forced the goaltender to exit the game, showing signs of a possible concussion.
This isn’t the first time Bennett has found himself at the center of controversy in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, having been under the NHL spotlight on multiple occasions. Still, his track record alone doesn’t confirm whether his contact with the Leafs’ goaltender was malicious or simply an unfortunate incident.
The controversy has another twist as Bennett and Stolarz are former teammates, who hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Panthers during the 2023-24 NHL season, thus adding another layer to the situation.
After the game, Bennett was mainly asked about the incident during his press conference. The Panthers’ star sent a very sincere message to the Leafs‘ goaltender, amid the buzz around him.
“I heard that he went to the hospital last night, and he’s a good friend of mine. I reached out to him. He responded,” Bennett stated, via Panthers rinkside reporter Katie Engleson. “Never want to see an injury like that. From my point of view, I’m just taking a puck to the net. I didn’t even know that we made contact until after. I’m trying to score.”
Déjà vu
Bennett is one of the most feared skaters on the ice as he plays with recklessness and tireless pace on every shift. That aggressiveness that characterizes him makes him cross the line often times, and it happened again during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round.
Fans across the NHL were quick to point to last year’s incident which involved now teammate Brad Marchand. During the 2023-24 Playoffs, Bennett delivered a brutal punch to Marchand’s jaw during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semis.
Walking on thin ice
Bennett wasn’t assessed a penalty on the play, nor did the Department of Player Safety issue any supplemental discipline at the time—and according to reports, it appears he won’t face any for his collision with Stolarz either.
“Sam Bennett is not expected to face any supplemental discipline for his hit on Anthony Stolarz during last night’s game,” insider Chris Johnston said on his X account.
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While the Leafs will focus on taking a 2-0 lead in Game 2 and defending home ice, Bennett’s presence is sure to boil the blood of several Toronto players, and tempers are bound to flare as the Leafs look to deliver some retribution of their own.