Much of the attention surrounding Game 1 between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs has not been about the results.

Toronto won 5-4, in case you forgot.

No, the spotlight has been on Panthers center Sam Bennett and Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz.

During the second period of Monday’s game, Bennett skated into the crease with the puck and caught Stolarz in the head with his forearm.

Stolarz immediately went down and the officials blew the play dead. He remained on the ice for about two minutes of game time – around nine minutes in real time – before skating over to Toronto’s bench and throwing up.

He was immediately removed from the game and replaced by backup Joseph Woll.

Stolarz was then taken to a local area hospital for treatment and further evaluation, and he’s already reportedly been released.

Speaking on Tuesday, Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube did not rule out Stolarz for Game 2.

Craig Berube wouldn’t rule out Anthony Stolarz starting in Game 2: “Yeah I don’t know that yet … I’ll probably find out (later) today.”

— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) May 6, 2025

After the game, Berube was not shy about expressing his feelings on the play, saying that the “elbow to the head” was as “clear as day.”

Bennett was not penalized on the play and won’t be disciplined by the NHL Department of Player Safety.

He did not speak to the media after the game, but did on Tuesday morning.

Bennett said he considers Stolarz “a good friend of mine” – the two won the Stanley Cup with Florida last season – and said he reached out to him and that Stolarz responded.

As for the hit itself, Bennett said he had no intent to hurt Stolarz.

“You never want to see an injury like that,” said Bennett. “From my point of view, I’m just taking the puck to the net. I didn’t even know we made contact until after. I’m on the power play, I’m trying to score and I’m taking the puck to the net. That’s really all there was to it.”

Bennett is no stranger to controversial hits during the playoffs.

There was a hit on Toronto’s Matthew Knies during their second-round matchup in 2023, and last season Bennett caught then-Bruins forward, now teammate Brad Marchand with a hit to the head.

Both caused injuries, and both times Bennett was not disciplined by the league.

Bennett was asked how he manages when the outside perception of him can be a result of those divisive plays.

“That’s part of the game," he said. "I play a hard style of hockey. I think people get upset by things and worked up, but I try to just tune that out. I’m just trying to play my game, I’m just trying to help our team win and I just try and push all that noise away.”

Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice also spoke on Tuesday morning and had a similar opinion as Bennett and, apparently, the NHL.

“If I thought that Sam (Bennett) had crossed the line or an edge, I’d probably be more careful with my words,” Maurice said. “I just didn't think it happened.”

We’ll see if the Leafs players feel the same way when Florida and Toronto take the ice for Game 2 on Wednesday night.

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It's a rematch from the 2022-23 second round, but the series will be far different from the last time the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers met. 

The Oilers had made the Western Conference Finals the season before but were beaten handily by the Colorado Avalanche. Their roster at the time wasn't strong enough, but due to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's brilliance, they could defeat lesser teams. 

When they met the Golden Knights in the playoffs, the Golden Knights' solidified blue line and depth outmatched the Oilers. Although the Golden Knights still hold that advantage this time around, the Oilers have the experience of being a win away from the Stanley Cup. Their depth guys understand their role and can execute it.

“There’s always going to be some sparks when you play that team, and we’ll see when they happen,” said Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy. “So I expect that. I expect some physicality and some level of animosity amongst the two teams, and we’ll see where it goes.”

When the teams first met in the playoffs, suspensions were handed out to both teams, and the physicality was ramped up, playing into the hands of the Golden Knights. It was the start of a rivalry that has continued in each matchup. 

Getting off to a fast start on home ice is imperative, but at no time can the Golden Knights take their foot off the gas. The Los Angeles Kings took a 2-0 series lead but dropped four consecutive games to the Oilers.

Both teams are relatively healthy. Mattias Ekholm has been declared out for the entire second round, which is a major loss for the Oilers. The Golden Knights will be without Pavel Dorofeyev tonight, as his day-to-day status continues. He hasn't skated since suffering an injury in the third period of Game 5. 

Ivan Barbashev had missed a practice on May. 3 with what was deemed maintenance, and will be in the lineup tonight. 

Karlsson-Eichel-Stone
Saad-Hertl-Kolesar
Barbashev-Roy-Smith
Pearson-Howden-Olofsson

Hague-Pietrangelo
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Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Golden Knights, Oilers Open Second Round On Tuesday In VegasThe Golden Knights will open their second-round series with the Edmonton Oilers at home on Tuesday at 6:30 pm (pacific).

The Florida Panthers have made a move, signing defenseman Ludvig Jansson to a three-year, entry-level contract. His new deal will kick in during the 2025-26 campaign.

Jansson, 21, was selected by the Panthers with the 125th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, the 6-foot blueliner has been working on his development overseas in Sweden. However, after signing this entry-level contract, he is able to begin his professional career in North America next season.

Jansson appeared in 50 games this season with Lulea HF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), where he had one goal, four points, and a minus-2 rating. He also recorded two assists in 17 playoff games for the SHL squad, where they took home the Le Mat Trophy.

Jansson will likely need to spend some time with the Panthers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, before making the jump to the NHL level. However, the right-shot defenseman has good upside, and it will be fascinating to see how much of an impact he can make with the Panthers later down the road from here.

Recent Panthers News 

Panthers Red-Hot Forward Is Hitting New Level This PlayoffsThe Florida Panthers lost their Game 1 matchup to the Toronto Maple Leafs by a 5-4 final score. The Panthers made a push in the third period by scoring three goals, but they could not complete the comeback. Report: Stolarz hospitalized, Leafs' coach feels Bennett 'elbow to the head' was 'clear as day'As is often the case when it comes to Florida Panthers and playoff games, much of the talk after Monday’s Game 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs was about a controversial hit. Comeback effort falls short as Panthers struggle early in Game 1 loss to TorontoThe Florida Panthers will have to come from behind if they’re going to advance past the Toronto Maple Leafs. Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk Has Big Praise For Brad MarchandThe Florida Panthers made a major move at the 2025 NHL trade deadline, acquiring star forward Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins. With this move, the Panthers added another top-six forward to their group. 

The Florida Panthers lost their Game 1 matchup to the Toronto Maple Leafs by a 5-4 final score. The Panthers made a push in the third period by scoring three goals, but they could not complete the comeback.

Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen kicked off Florida's third-period rally attempt, as he scored just 1:39 into the period. It was a nice goal, too, as he deflected a Anton Lundell feed past Maple Leafs goalie Joseph Woll to cut Toronto's lead to 4-2. 

With this goal, Luostarinen extended his point streak to three games. The 26-year-old forward has been excellent during this streak, posting two goals, six points, and a plus-7 rating over that span. This includes scoring a goal and recording four points in the Panthers' series-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 of the last round. 

With numbers like this, Luostarinen is undoubtedly hitting a new level offensively right now for the Panthers. While the 2017 second-round pick is more known for his strong defensive play and physicality, he has been a difference-maker offensively for the Panthers this post-season so far.

If the Panthers hope to get by the Maple Leafs and go on another long playoff run, they will need players like Luostarinen to continue to thrive for them. It will be interesting to see how he builds on his impressive play from here. 

Recent Panthers News 

Report: Stolarz hospitalized, Leafs' coach feels Bennett 'elbow to the head' was 'clear as day'As is often the case when it comes to Florida Panthers and playoff games, much of the talk after Monday’s Game 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs was about a controversial hit. Comeback effort falls short as Panthers struggle early in Game 1 loss to TorontoThe Florida Panthers will have to come from behind if they’re going to advance past the Toronto Maple Leafs. Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk Has Big Praise For Brad MarchandThe Florida Panthers made a major move at the 2025 NHL trade deadline, acquiring star forward Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins. With this move, the Panthers added another top-six forward to their group. 

Matthew Knies is only 22 years old, but he's not playing like it on the NHL’s biggest stage in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

After the Florida Panthers had clawed back from a 4-1 deficit with two quick goals early in the third period, cutting the lead to one in Game 1 of the second round against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the club needed someone to step up. With six minutes to go, Knies was the player who gave the Leafs some breathing room with an insurance goal – his fourth of the postseason – which proved to be the game-winner. 

Linemate Mitch Marner won a puck battle along the wall in the Leafs’ end, poking the puck free to Knies. From there, the 6-foot-3, 227-pound forward was off to the races on a breakaway against Sergei Bobrovsky.

Knies sold the forehand, flipped the puck to his backhand, and lifted it over the glove, restoring the Leafs' two-goal cushion and eventually sealing a 5-4 victory with his second breakaway goal of the playoffs.

“I just saw that I could spring myself past their D, and Mitchie made a great play on the wall there to get it to me. I just wanted to beat him high on the glove side,” said Knies post-game.

MATTHEW KNIES, THAT WAS SICK 🥵 #StanleyCup

🇺🇸: @espn ➡️ https://t.co/m0LyTCHYnH
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctFpic.twitter.com/zlijq6S32y

— NHL (@NHL) May 6, 2025

Knies now has four goals on six breakaway opportunities this season (regular season and playoffs combined), according to Sportsnet Stats. The goal was similar to the one he scored on April 2nd – also with Bobrovsky in the crease – where Marner fed him on a stretch pass, and Knies again beat the veteran netminder, again going forehand-backhand, but that time along the ice for another game-winner.

"I think we did a lot of video, and I thought that I got him earlier in the regular season. I just wanted to elevate that one. It worked out for me," Knies explained.

But it’s not just the ability to finish that’s catching the attention of fans, teammates, and coaches. It’s how Knies is seamlessly making these plays in high-pressure moments and how much he’s grown in just his second full NHL season. Given his size and playstyle as a power forward, the Phoenix, AZ., native has elite hands in-tight – an underrated aspect of his game.

“Somebody asked me, what are you most impressed by with Knies?” said head coach Craig Berube. “He's got great hands in tight. And I didn't know this coming in here. You see the power in his skating and the physicality and that sort of stuff, but the hands are really good in tight. And that was a great example of it tonight with the goal we scored.”

The forward has quickly become one of Toronto’s most reliable forwards this postseason, not just with goals, but with execution, physical play, and a mature approach for his age. 

He continues to impress.

Knies’ Game-Winner Gives Maple Leafs 1-0 Series Lead Over PanthersWith a 5-4 win on Monday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs take a 1-0 series lead over the Florida Panthers.

Through seven playoff games, he has five points (4G, 1A), including a secondary assist on Chris Tanev’s goal in the second period to go along with his own tally in a strong Game 1 performance.

“He's a tremendous player. He's a pit bull out there with some nice hands,” Tanev said of Knies. “When he seems to get half a step on guys, it's tough for anyone to catch him. So, I guess he's done a bit of everything for us at a very high level of play. It's been huge for us.”

Goaltender Joseph Woll, who’s built a close relationship with Knies, has witnessed the evolution of the up-and-coming forward firsthand.

“He's a special player, man. He's a horse,” said Woll after Monday’s win. “You guys see him on the forecheck. He's got a lot of skill, and he shows it. He's pretty special. I think he's got a lot of maturity. He shows that. I think he's pretty unfazed by all of that. He just goes out and does his job. He doesn't try to be someone that he's not. He plays to his strength as much as he can.”

Knies had a career year offensively, posting highs in goals (29), assists (29), and points (58) in 78 regular-season games, taking a step from his freshman campaign with the organization. He found a rhythm on Toronto’s top line and increasingly showed flashes of the high-ceiling power forward the Leafs envisioned when they drafted him in the second round back in 2021.

As the season progressed, his confidence with the puck grew, and so did his impact.

“I think he's letting his skill come out more, and you guys are seeing that. Obviously, he's had a great year,” added Woll. “He puts the puck in the net and makes plays and is a menace on the forecheck.”

If his trajectory is any indication, he may only be scratching the surface of what’s to come, especially the possibilities in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

The hire of Mike Sullivan as the latest Blueshirt coach has inspired all kinds of speculation in Rangerville.

And since The Maven believes in fair reporting, all sides of the story, I chose to get an X-Ray on Sullivan from a Pittsburgh reporter who has covered Sully throughout his tenure with the Penguins.

How To Help Mike Sullivan Fix The BlueshirtsThe Rangers need help and that’s why The Maven is here to aid and abet Mike Sullivan at no cost to Jim Dolan or Chris Drury for that matter.

Vince Comunale is as fair-minded as they come so keep that in mind as you read his analysis. (Hint: By the end of this you'll be smiling.) Here's a complete analysis from Sullivan in Pittsburgh and how he'll do in New York:

"Mike Sullivan coached parts of 10 seasons with the Penguins, amassing a 409-255-89 record, good for a winning percentage of .537. While a .537 winning percentage might not seem all that bad, consider that he had an average winning percentage of .642 in his first seven seasons in Pittsburgh. 

"However, the team's record was a paltry 112-99-35 the past three seasons with winning percentages of .555, .537, and .488, respectively, falling short of the playoffs in all three seasons. 

'Did Sullivan forget how to coach? No, but he did show a bit of reluctance to insert younger players into the lineup to support the aging core of Penguins superstars. 

"Up until late this past season it was often the case that young players would be called up from the AHL, but then either healthy scratched or placed on the fourth line in a limited role.'

It seems he had forgotten that young players like Bryan Rust, Jake Guentzel, and Conor Sheary had given the Penguins the boost they needed back in 2016 and 2017 to push them to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.

"Additionally, after parts of ten seasons with Pittsburgh, it seemed as though Sullivan's message had gotten stale. Let's face it, players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson are more-than-likely just out there doing their own thing and not taking much coaching guidance. 

"That core four are, of course, mostly free from coaching criticism and reprimand, which also makes it difficult for a head coach. 

"There were numerous times the past two seasons where Karlsson should have been benched for his actions, but no coach is going to bench a three-time Norris Trophy winner.

"By the close of this past season it became clear that the Penguins were in full blown rebuild mode and that Sullivan was likely not the head coach to see the team through a rebuild. Not that Sullivan is not capable of guiding a team through a rebuild, but he is a veteran head coach that is one of the most in-demand coaches in the NHL, so the mutual parting of ways did not come as a surprise. 

"It also did not come as a surprise that Sullivan landed a new head coaching job about a week after his tenure in PIttsburgh came to an end. 

"While Sullivan is inheriting a bit of a complex situation with the Rangers, he is the right person for the job. He is used to coaching superstars and used to coaching big personalities."

"Additionally, he is used to coaching teams with immense talent. The situation he is inheriting with the Rangers is very similar to the one he inherited in Pittsburgh during the 2015-16 season. 

"The Penguins were loaded with talent and a preseason Stanley Cup favorite, but found themselves well out of a playoff spot when they made a coaching change in December of 2015. 

"Similarly, the Rangers are one season removed from winning the Presidents' Trophy and many of the players that contributed to that Presidents' Trophy-winning season are still on the roster. 

"Sullivan will get to the root of what was/is causing the discord in the Rangers' locker room and fix it. He might not guide the Rangers to a Stanley Cup Championship in his first season as he did with Pittsburgh, but it is a safe bet he will have them back in the playoffs. 

'The Penguins and Rangers franchises are in two very different situations, but it is clear that it was the right time for the Penguins and Sullivan to part ways and the right time for the Rangers to hire him!"

The NHL announced the three nominees for the Calder Trophy on Monday, and there were no surprises. Former first-round pick and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Calgary Flames netminder Dustin Wolf, and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson are the three players in contention.

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Hutson’s nomination is probably the least surprising of the three since the 21-year-old blueliner has had what can only be described as a historic season. With 66 points, Hutson has produced the 4th highest total ever by a rookie defenseman in the NHL (behind Larry Murphy (76), Brian Leetch (71), and Gary Suter (68)). His 60 assists tied the NHL record set by Murphy in 1980-81. The Habs’ rearguard led the rookie race from start to finish, with Celibrini coming in second with 63 points and Philadelphia Flyers Matvei Michkov third with 63 points, but in more games than the Sharks’ forward.

The youngster was also seventh in points amongst all NHL defensemen this season, second in assists, and fourth amongst all players when it came to stealing pucks from opponents with 56; only Jacob Slavin, Cale Makar, and Mitch Marner had more steals. The diminutive defenseman dished out 40 hits on the season. While that’s not a lot, it’s better than Shea Theodore, who had six, Cam Fowler, who had eight, and Quinn Hughes, who only landed 13.

His 66 points also made him the most productive rookie defenseman in Canadiens’ history, overtaking Chris Chelios, who had set the mark with 64 in 1984-85. He was also third in scoring on the Canadiens this season behind Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Hutson was about more than points though, his creativity and spectacular play made him an instant fan favourite. 

The last time a defenseman won the Calder Trophy was in 2021-22 when Detroit Red Wings’ Moritz Seider put up 50 points. Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar also won it with the same amount of points in 2019-20, but it was in 57 games only. When Aaron Ekblad grabbed it in 2014-15, he had 39 points in 81 games, but he was a much more defensive kind of blueliner.

Lane Hutson 2024-2025 HighlightsAll 66 points of Lane Hutson in his rookie season 2024-2025 and scoring chances and skillful plays #lanehutson #hutson #habs #nhl #hockey #montreal #canadiens

It’s been a long time since a netminder has won the award. Steve Mason did it last in 2008-09. That year, he won 33 games and had a 2.29 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. In comparison, Wolf had a 29-16-8 record with a 2.64 GAA and a .910 SP. While he did have an impressive season, his chances would have been much better had he been able to guide the Flames to the playoffs.

The winner will be announced in June at a date yet to be revealed by the NHL, which makes sense since it’s too early to know when the playoffs will end.

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