NHL Fans Furious League Not Punishing Panthers Forward for Game 1 Hit

Sam Bennett's elbow to Anthony Stolarz's head forced the goalie out of the game.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz reacts after a collision with Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett. / John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Known for toeing the line as an instigator on the ice, Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett took it upon himself to elbow goalie Anthony Stolarz in the head during his team's Game 1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night.

As seen in the video below, Bennett skated towards Stolarz's crease before clipping him upside the noggin with a hit that forced him out of the game. He was replaced by backup goalie Joseph Woll and was ultimately diagnosed with a concussion before being taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

Stolarz was pulled after this collision with Bennett https://t.co/Xns4P1VzVd pic.twitter.com/CxWuBJlFW6

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 6, 2025

The Athletic's Chris Johnston followed the incident up on Tuesday morning with a report that Bennett is not expected to face any discipline from the league for the hit. That ruling has fans across social media up in arms. Here's a look at some of the reactions from X (formerly Twitter):

-fully in the blue paint
-no defender near, other routes available
-pure head contact
-obvious intent to initiate contact
-resulted in an injury

By those facts alone it’s at least a game. Unless you’re Sam Bennett, unless it’s against the Leafs.

George Parros should be fired pic.twitter.com/IfsLyBdZhz

— Logan (@logopatt) May 6, 2025

Two playoff series’ against the Panthers. Two Leafs concussed by Sam Bennett. Zero penalties or suspensions.

Cool league.

— Nick Richard (@_NickRichard) May 6, 2025

Third year in a row that Sam Bennett concusses a player in the playoffs and gets absolutely no supplemental discipline. pic.twitter.com/p8Z2tybVbA

— A (@_marlanderthews) May 6, 2025

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

nhl department of player safety: head contact is bad!**

**except when performed by sam bennett

pic.twitter.com/9dNHnz8yYb https://t.co/UFw6MTuQqZ

— natalie (@marnylander) May 6, 2025

All of hockey Twitter coming together to shit on Sam Bennett: pic.twitter.com/3NtK9XqrcW

— y- Channelle 🩷 (@ChannelleLV) May 6, 2025

https://t.co/uNqjaxllSM pic.twitter.com/Sudbp0Q9X7

— e - Delaney (@delaneyhwill) May 6, 2025

You guys are a joke @NHLPlayerSafety

“Per Emily Kaplan, Sam Bennett will not receive any supplemental discipline for the elbow to the head of Anthony Stolarz.

Stolarz was stretchered out of the arena and transported to hospital for further evaluation after he was seen vomiting…

— Maple Leafs Wave (@LeafsWave) May 6, 2025

Some good news? According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, Stolarz has been released from the hospital.

Game 2 of the Maple Leafs-Panthers series is set for Wednesday night at 7 p.m. EST from Toronto's Scotiabank Arena, with the Bennett-Stolarz saga adding yet another layer to the NHL postseason.

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