During Game 2 of the 2023 second round, Bennett and Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies got tangled up before Bennett slammed the Toronto rookie to the ice, causing a concussion. Knies finished the period but would not play in the remainder of the best-of-7 series, which the Panthers won in five games.

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz exited Monday's series opener against the Florida Panthers with a head injury. The injury appears to have stemmed from a hit by Panthers forward Sam Bennett,

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