After the Leafs took an early series lead on Monday, 海角社区官网and Florida meet for Game 2 at Scotiabank Arena tonight at 7 p.m. ET.
Follow the Star’s updates throughout the day, plus real-time commentary during the game from columnist Bruce Arthur.
The Corner Office: Panthers usurping Maple Leafs in Atlantic, salary cap kudos and those big (bad) Bruins
Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly scores on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky in NHL playoff hockey action in 海角社区官网on Monday, May 5, 2025.
Nathan Denette/The Canadian PressFive years ago,聽Maple Leafs聽fans likely assumed their team by now would have been the cream of the Atlantic Division, supplanting both the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning. You could certainly make the argument that this year they were as 海角社区官网claimed the division for only the third time in the last 25 years.
Few would have seen the Florida Panthers coming and dominating the way they have. But is there anyone out there who would put 海角社区官网ahead of Florida as the best team in the Atlantic considering their back-to-back Stanley Cup final appearances, including last year’s win?
Leafs 鈥榟ave moved on鈥 after learning Bennett won鈥檛 face suspension for hit on Stolarz
With Anthony Stolarz out of hospital and back with his teammates for important meetings to prepare for Game 2, the Maple Leafs tried to put on a business-as-usual face after learning the league wouldn鈥檛 impose supplemental discipline on Florida forward Sam Bennett.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 control that,鈥 said veteran centre Max Pacioretty. 鈥淲e can only worry about what we can control as individuals and as a team. And we always want to stick up for one another and stick together And do it the right way.鈥
Bennett is Public Enemy No. 1 in 海角社区官网for his elbow to Stolarz鈥檚 head that is believed to be the reason the Leafs鈥 top goalie left Game 1 鈥 a 5-4 Leaf win 鈥 midway through the second period.
Florida coach Paul Maurice defends Sam Bennett after Anthony Stolarz collision: 鈥楥all the fire department鈥
When Paul Maurice woke up Tuesday morning, he expected he鈥檇 have to talk about Sam Bennett鈥檚 collision with 海角社区官网Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz in his team鈥檚 5-4 Game 1 loss.
And when he did, the Florida Panthers coach was resolute in defence of his veteran forward when speaking to reporters at the team鈥檚 hotel in downtown Toronto.
He also had a few zingers prepared.
鈥淗onest to God, I鈥檝e seen every hit that Sam Bennett has thrown since he was 12 years old on TV this morning,鈥 Maurice said. 鈥淭here were far more egregious collisions in that game last night, but we won鈥檛 be talking about those.鈥
Sam Bennett has a checkered NHL past. His hit on Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz is just the latest incident
“We’re six games into the playoffs and he took a puck outside the crease and now he’s a villain,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said of Sam Bennett.
Hannah Foslien/Getty ImagesAmidst the fervor of a wild Game 1 victory Monday night, Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett drew the ire of聽Maple Leafs聽fans after he collided with Anthony Stolarz, with the goaltender leaving the game minutes later.聽
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation