Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett was fined $5,000, the maximum under the NHL’s CBA, for a cross-check on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting in Thursday’s Game 2 of their second-round series, the Department of Player Safety announced Friday.
Bennett was given a two-minute minor for the play in the second period. Bunting appeared to be favouring his neck after the play.
After the game, Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe took issue with Bennett’s cross-check on Bunting. Keefe said the play was “eerily similar” to Auston Matthews’ cross-check on Buffalo Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin in last year’s outdoor game in Hamilton – which resulted in a two-game suspension – and went as far as to suggest that the punishment for Bennett should be similar to what Matthews received.
In response, Panthers coach Paul Maurice said: “I didn’t see the outdoor game. I know that’ll shock you, that you wouldn’t all be focused on the Leafs games. I had a pre-scout for the pesky Florida Panthers. So, I can’t comment on that. Everybody seemed to survive that.”
Bennett also was in the spotlight earlier in Thursday’s game when his hit on Matthew Knies eventually resulted in the Maple Leafs rookie forward Matthew Knies exiting.
Bennett had 16 goals and 24 assists for 40 points in 63 games in the regular season. He has four goals and three assists in eight playoff games this year.
The Panthers lead the series 2-0 with Game 3 on Sunday in Florida.