There have been plenty of storylines to open the second-round playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers, despite there only being one game played. At the center is Panthers forward Sam Bennett — once again.
Bennett knocked Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz out of Game 1 with an unpenalized elbow in the second period, a play that immediately sparked criticism among members of the team and the fans. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety opted not to issue any supplementary discipline, allowing the 28-year-old to stay in the lineup for Game 2 at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night.
Joseph Woll Named Maple Leafs’ Game 2 Starter As Anthony Stolarz’s Return Vs. Panthers Remains Uncertain
Anthony Stolarz is still recovering from <a href="https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1919563503930679547">his collision with Sam Bennett</a> in Game 1 against the Florida Panthers and will not dress for Game 2 for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Ahead of puck drop, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice was asked whether he expected the Leafs, or their fans, to give Bennett any special treatment.
Who!?” Maurice responded sarcastically, cutting off the question.
When the questioner clarified, suggesting Leafs fans will be on him extra on Wednesday night, Maurice doubled down.
“Are they bringing their skates?” he said, referencing the anticipated hostility from Leafs Nation.
Panthers' Sam Bennett On Collision With Maple Leafs' Anthony Stolarz: 'I'm Just Taking The Puck To The Net'
When Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett spoke on Tuesday morning, he considered his collision with Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz a bump.
With a more serious tone, Maurice defended his player’s game and reputation at the podium.
“He’s our leading scorer forward and he’ll play an honest, hard game the way he always does,” Maurice said. “I don’t think he hasn’t in the past and hasn’t been, believe it or not, that many. Hasn’t been in that many situations, he’ll be fine. And I appreciate the concern — I felt that.”
Bennett has been a crucial piece of their offense, producing a point per game for the Panthers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs with four goals, two assists, and six points in six games. The forward also picked up a goal in Game 1 against Toronto on Monday.
But whether you agree with Maurice or not, it’s hard to overlook the pattern of borderline behavior Bennett has established over his career, particularly in the playoffs.
The former Calgary Flames first-round pick has racked up two suspensions (four games) and $10,000 in fines to date. Since 2018, there have been at least nine notable controversial plays involving the Panthers forward, many during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Since 2021 alone, he’s been involved in at least one incident each postseason, three times involving the Leafs, with incidents in both of the previous two meetings in the playoffs.
‘Go Ahead, Run With It’: Panthers’ Maurice Brushes Off Bennett Elbow, Controversial History As Maple Leafs Prepare For Game 2
Sam Bennett is no stranger to controversy, especially in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Despite a handful of instances, especially in the spring, Bennett has frequently avoided further discipline, a trend that continues to turn heads.
On Tuesday, a user on X shared an image of a “Wanted: Dead or Alive” flyer featuring Bennett’s face, claiming they were being handed out around Union Station in downtown Toronto – a clear indication of how some fans are preparing for his arrival in Game 2.
However, the Leafs are focused on keeping momentum with a 1-0 series lead. Forward Scott Laughton says their approach to the controversy isn’t centered on retribution.
“To win. I think that's how you get them,” he said.
“Go out there and compete. Tonight they're going to be ready to respond, and they're going to be ready to go. So we obviously have to match that intensely and exceed it as well,” added captain Auston Matthews.
Still, the Scotiabank Arena crowd is expected to provide its own response, but don’t expect the Panthers to lose any sleep over it.
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