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Panthers Coach Jokes About Sam Bennett's Elbow on Maple Leafs' Anthony Stolarz

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated May 7, 2025 5:59 AM ET

The Florida Panthers dropped Game 1 of their second-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night, falling 5-4 at Scotiabank Arena despite a late push for a comeback.

After trailing 4-1 through two periods, the Panthers scored three goals in the final frame to close the gap, but couldn’t find an equalizer in the final minutes.

Midway through the second period, the Leafs suffered a blow, figuratively and literally, as goaltender Anthony Stolarz left the game following an elbow to the head from Sam Bennett.

Though Stolarz remained on the ice for several minutes after the incident, Stolarz was visibly shaken and later vomited near the bench during a stoppage. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation and was unavailable after the game.

"There were far more egregious collisions in that game last night but we won't be talking about those"

Paul Maurice on Bennett/Stolarz collision. pic.twitter.com/axY5vEYErf
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 6, 2025

No penalty was assessed on the play, and on Tuesday, the league decided against punishing Bennett with any supplemental discipline, triggering debate.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice addressed the incident, and did so in a rather unique way.

“Honest to god, I’ve seen every hit that Sam Bennett's thrown since he was 12 years old on TV this morning,” Maurice said. “Go ahead, run it, puck’s gonna drop.”

Paul Maurice: "I've seen every hit that Sam Bennett's thrown since he was 12 years old on TV this morning."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 6, 2025

Maurice was defiant in the face of criticism.

“Like, we're six games into the playoffs, and he took a puck outside the crease, and now he's a villain,” Maurice said. “There were far more egregious collisions in that game last night, but we won't be talking about those.”

Bennett, who revealed he messaged Stolarz after learning of the hospitalization, said he didn’t realize he’d made contact.

“I’m trying to score,” Bennett said. “The last thing in my mind is about elbowing him in the head.”

The Leafs have not officially ruled Stolarz out for Game 2, but the expectation is for backup Joseph Woll to start in net when the puck drops on Wednesday night in Toronto.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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