Sam Bennett could face supplemental discipline after multiple dirty plays last night in Game 2
The playoffs are meant to be a physical game. It's a battle of attrition and a battle of who can take more punishment without breaking. However, sometimes that attempt to wear down your opponent can cross a line and that's exactly what the Toronto Maple Leafs feel that Sam Bennett did last night, not once, but twice.
During the 2nd period of last night Bennett was at his best trying to draw the Maple Leafs in, but found himself called for crosschecking. In front of the net Bennett delivered a cross check to the head and neck of Bunting. The referees initially reviewed the call and decided it was only worth 2 minutes.
However the play that Maple Leafs fans were most upset about was a take down on rookie Matthew Knies behind the Panthers net. The collision between the two occurred during the 1st period and ended Knies night, with an injury that Sheldon Keefe called "not good".
On the play with the puck already gone, Bennett drives a forearm into the head of Knies. Bennett follows this up by slamming Knies head directly into the boards before intentionally muscling Knies head into the ice. Knies was clearly shaken up on the play, would play one more shift and then leave for the night.
Maple Leafs fans are certainly hoping that the NHL Department of Safety steps in, but NHL Insider Chris Johnston doesn't believe that is very likely, while Matthew Tkachuk literally laughed at the idea.
This series is far from over, but the Maple Leafs MUST win Sunday or their chances of advancing to the Conference Finals will be virtually non-existent.
| POLL | ||
Does Sam Bennett deserve a suspension? | ||
| Yes, just 1 game | 119 | 58.3 % |
| No, but he should be fined | 31 | 15.2 % |
| No, he doesn't deserve any discipline | 54 | 26.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
