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Three Victims, Three Years: Sam Bennett's Brutal Playoff History Raises Major Red Flags

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated May 6, 2025 9:09 PM ET

Sam Bennett took down Anthony Stolarz on Monday, and now fans are pointing out a brutal playoff history that has seen him injure not one, not two but three players.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers have a very heated rivalry, and in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, things got even more heated when a Sam Bennett hit caused Anthony Stolarz to be stretchered out of ScotiaBank Arena.

Bennett will somehow not be fined or suspended by the NHL after his direct elbow to the head of the goaltender, and that's led to many people calling the Department of Player Safety out on social media, as they refused to defend a player after his health was directly put in jeopardy.

Now, things become even worse, as Bennett's playoff history has been revealed on social media, as he has given out three concussions over the past few years, including Maple Leafs Matthew Knies and Anthony Stolarz, as well as now teammate Brad Marchand.

Somehow, despite all three being dirty, unnecessary hits, he has yet to be punished for any of them, and given the ridiculous fines that the Department of Player Safety have handed out thus far in the playoffs, as well as the suspensions in the Panthers/Lightning series, this one continues to be incredibly confusing.

As for Bennett, he is a repeat offender in both the regular season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but for some reason, the league continue to allow him to get away with the shots directly to the head, even with the concussion issues that have plagued sports.

Ultimately, this is a failure on the part of the NHL, George Parros and Gary Bettman, as a player vomited on the bench after a hit to the head from Bennett, and without punishment, it's safe to say that Toronto will want revenge in this series.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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