Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett became the center of controversy on May 5, 2025, after delivering an elbow to the head of Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz during Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.
The incident has sparked heated debates, with fans, analysts, and players calling for a Sam Bennett suspension.
With a history of questionable plays, Bennett’s latest actions have reignited discussions about player safety and accountability in the NHL.
i’ll never give sam bennett the benefit of the doubt, this shit was greasy and on purpose pic.twitter.com/nfG52s1hKQ
— natalie (@marnylander) May 6, 2025
Midway through the second period, with the Maple Leafs leading 4-1, Bennett skated through the crease behind Stolarz.
As he moved, his right elbow appeared to connect with the back of Stolarz’s helmet. The goaltender dropped to the ice, visibly shaken.
Though he stayed in the game for a few more minutes, Stolarz was later seen vomiting on the bench—a potential sign of a concussion.
He left the game and was replaced by backup Joseph Woll.
According to reports, Stolarz was stretchered out of Scotiabank Arena and taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
Toronto’s head coach, Craig Berube, didn’t mince words.
“Elbow to the head Clear as day. I’m not sure why there wasn’t a call on it. But I get it, they miss calls, but it’s clearly a penalty.”
Via Twitter
Supporters expressed their frustration by taking to social media, where they flooded the platforms with their outrage..
One X user wrote,
“This time last year Sam Bennett sucker punched Marchand in the head. Tonight, he elbows his former teammate Stolarz in the neck/face. Dude is a scumbag rat.”
Via X
Another commented,
“you deserve suspension. you should be ashamed”
Via Instagram
The lack of a penalty call during the game only fueled the controversy. Panthers coach Paul Maurice deflected, noting,
“You are all going to light your hair on fire, and I am going to let you. The referee was standing right there when it happened.”
Via Yahoo Sports
But for many, the incident was a clear violation, especially given Stolarz’s alarming symptoms and departure from the arena.
This Isn’t The First Time Bennett Has Been Accused Of Crossing The Line
He is known as a tough and provocative player who often pushes the boundaries of what is safe.
In the 2023 playoffs, he took out Toronto’s Matthew Knies with a behind-the-play takedown that left the rookie concussed. No suspension followed.
In 2024, Bennett was at the heart of another playoff firestorm during Florida’s series against the Boston Bruins.
In Game 3, he delivered what many called a “sucker punch” to Bruins captain Brad Marchand’s head, forcing Marchand to miss Game 4 with a suspected concussion.
Slow-motion replays suggested intent, but the NHL Department of Player Safety took no action.
In Game 4 of the same series, Bennett scored a controversial goal after pushing Boston’s Charlie Coyle into goaltender Jeremy Swayman.
The Bruins challenged for goaltender interference, but the goal stood, leaving Boston furious.
Bennett’s rap sheet doesn’t end there. He’s been accused of boarding St. Louis Blues forward Jake Neighbours with a dropped elbow and cross-checking Toronto’s Michael Bunting in the head.
In January 2025, he was fined $5,000 for roughing Pittsburgh’s Drew O’Connor.
His only prior suspensions came in 2021 and 2022, including a three-game ban for an illegal check to Montreal’s Cedric Paquette’s head.
The Sam Bennett Suspension Debate Involves Intent, Injury, And His History As A Repeat Offender
Video evidence clearly shows Bennett’s elbow making contact with Stolarz’s head, and former NHL player Carlo Colaiacovo called it “intentional.”
Leafs forward Matthew Knies, who was injured by Bennett in 2023, urged the league to “handle it and protect our players.”
However, a counter-narrative has appeared.
Chris Nowinski, a PhD and concussion expert, suggested that Stolarz’s injury might stem from an earlier incident in the game—a first-period slap shot from Sam Reinhart that struck Stolarz’s mask, dislodging it.
Nowinski pointed to Anthony Stolarz’s “spontaneous headshake” after the puck hit, which he claims predicts a concussion 72% of the time.
This theory could shift blame away from Bennett, but it hasn’t quelled the public’s demand for discipline.
Fans on X have been vocal, with one user stating,
Buddy get Sam Bennett outta the league. That is a headshot in the crease from a multiple repeat offender that has led to an obvious concussion and the player leaves the game. How does he keep getting away with it.
— Nothing Matters League is Rigged (@DrewNolan_) May 6, 2025
Another predicted,
“He’s getting suspended. If Stolarz is out long term I think Bennett gets a hefty suspension.”
Via X
Suggestions for penalties range from one game to as many as 20. This shows the mixed opinions on Bennett’s actions.
Florida Panthers’ Forward Sam Bennett lashes out against accusations that he elbowed Anthony Stolarz during their 5-4 Game 1 loss against the Leafs.
— MemerunnerGPT (@MemerunnerGPT) May 6, 2025
I made this with https://t.co/F5niyWHc2Z#MapleLeafs #FloridaPanthers #SamBennett #NHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/0lZebhZbup
In a recent media interaction, Bennett dismissed the controversy, claiming he “barely touched” Stolarz.
He called the goaltender “a gutless little wimp” who “can’t handle the pressure of the playoffs,” adding,
“The ref was standing right there and didn’t call a penalty. It was nothing more than a love tap, so shut the f**k up about it.”
Via X
These inflammatory remarks, which some fans questioned for their authenticity, only intensified the backlash.
Bennett’s comments, if accurate, could further sway the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, which often considers a player’s conduct and public statements in disciplinary decisions.
The department is reportedly reviewing the incident, focusing on intent, the severity of Stolarz’s injury, and Bennett’s disciplinary history.
As of May 6, 2025, no hearing or ruling has been announced, leaving fans anxiously awaiting the league’s decision.
The Sam Bennett suspension saga raises broader questions about player safety and the NHL’s approach to head injuries.
The league has made strides in concussion prevention, introducing protocols like the “quiet room” for evaluations and cracking down on dangerous hits.
Yet, incidents like this highlight inconsistencies in enforcement.
For Toronto, the loss of Stolarz could be devastating.
The 31-year-old goaltender, who backed up Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky during their 2024 Stanley Cup run, has been a cornerstone for the Leafs, starting all six games in their first-round series win over Ottawa.
If he’s sidelined with a concussion, backup Joseph Woll will face immense pressure against a relentless Panthers squad.
For now, the hockey world waits, and the Sam Bennett suspension debate continues to dominate conversations. Fans are frustrated, players are on edge, and the playoffs are as heated as ever.
