There’s no wiggle room here for “hey, maybe Sam Bennett accidentally bumped his elbow into Anthony Stolarz’s head” in Game 1 of the NHL playoff matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers.
No, this is a case where the NHL must take action. Bennett’s cheap shot to the head of the Maple Leafs goaltender looked like it was on purpose, and it sent Stolarz out of the game, with footage of him potentially vomiting on the bench before he was reportedly taken out of the arena via ambulance.
To me, it’s a two-game suspension for the forward. One for the cheap shot and one for history — you’ll recall Bennett sucked-punched Brad Marchand nearly a year ago.
Even if the NHL somehow decides that Bennett’s actions were “inadvertent,” no matter. He was in the crease, he was near Stolarz, he needs to be responsible for his elbows.
But Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube spelled it out, calling it an “elbow to the head … clear as day.” I agree.
Here’s the footage the Sportsnet cameras caught of Anthony Stolarz vomiting on the bench before being pulled from the game. Yikes. pic.twitter.com/EmMgffQufL
— Jesse Blake (@JesseBlake) May 6, 2025
It would be a complete joke if Bennett skated by without discipline.