Infuriating Information Comes to Light Regarding Referees From Game 1 of Leafs-Panthers

The Maple Leafs have jumped out to an early 1-0 series lead over the Florida Panthers to kick off Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Unfortunately for the Leafs, the victory came at a cost, losing top goaltender Anthony Stolarz after the netminder was struck in the head by the elbow and forearm of Panthers forward Sam Bennett.

Stolarz did attempt to remain in the game despite having suffered the injury, but was ultimately taken out by the Leafs after vomiting on the bench during a TV timeout. He was subsequently stretchered out of the arena and taken to hospital for evaluation.

Following the game, The Athletic's Kevin Papetti revealed a crazy connection between the Bennett-Stolarz incident and the Bennett-Knies incident from two years ago, when Bennett slammed Knies onto the ice, concussing the rookie forward and not only escaping a suspension, but also was not issued a penalty on the play.

According to Papetti, the officials during the infamous Bennett-Knies incident were -- you guessed it -- Chris Rooney and Graham Skilliter. These were the same two officials from last night's game in Toronto.

It seems like we're always banging our heads off the wall over the questionable officiating, especially in the playoffs, but this one might take the cake. What a truly baffling coincidence.

Shockingly and frustratingly, Bennett was not suspended for the act, which has set up a very interesting Game 2.

The Leafs will have a fine line to walk in this series from here on out. They cannot fall into the Panthers' trap of attempting to turn this series into chaos, but they also can't allow the Panthers to take all sorts of liberties and walk all over them.

The best way to make Bennett and the Panthers pay would be to advance to the Conference Finals. With a 1-0 lead in the series, the Leafs have the advantage, and they'd be wise not to choke it away for the sake of more immediate revenge.