Leafs Urging Player Safety to Do the Right Thing After Sam Bennett Injures Anthony Stolarz

While the Toronto Maple Leafs jumped ahead to a 1-0 series lead over the Florida Panthers last night after a 5-4 victory on home-ice, the game will be remembered for one play and one play only.

That incident came in the second period after Panthers forward Sam Bennett made contract with his elbow against the back of Anthony Stolarz's head. The goaltender remained in the game for a few more plays before taking himself out.

In fact, Stolarz was so woozy that he ended up throwing up on the bench before leaving the arena on a stretcher. The play in question has left a sour taste after a very entertaining Game 1.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice saw nothing wrong with the play and indicated that if something was amiss, the on-looking referee would have called a penalty.

The officials and the Department of Player Safety have been under fire to begin the playoffs, but as usual, it's been because of their inconsistent rulings. One day, they're suspending a player for 2 games. The very next day, they're looking away from an obvious suspension-worthy play.

The Leafs are hoping that's not the case as several members of the organization have voiced their frustrations including Matthew Knies as well as head coach Craig Berube with the former wanting supplemental discipline and the latter confused as to how nothing was called.

The Panthers stormed their way back in the third period and came very close to tying the game, but the Maple Leafs held on and will look to take a 2-0 series lead when they reconvene at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.

If Bennett escapes the clutches of the Department of Player Safety, look for him to become public enemy number one against the likes of Max Domi, Scott Laughton, Simon Benoit, and Jake McCabe, among others.