The image of Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Matthew Knies being body-slammed by the Florida Panther’s Sam Bennett is burned in my memory, and it isn’t a pleasant recollection.
Knies left Game 2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs / Panthers 2nd round Stanley Cup playoff matchup with a concussion, and missed the rest of the series.
Earlier in the playoffs, Leafs superstar Auston Matthews was sucker-punched several times by Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos before eventually realizing he’d better try to defend himself. Another fine highlight of a skilled yet punchless (literally) Toronto squad.