Panthers’ Sam Bennett fined $5,000 for roughing Penguins’ Drew O’Connor
On Saturday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced it has fined Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett $5,000 for roughing Pittsburgh Penguins forward Drew O’Connor.
The incident happened late in the third period in a game between the two teams on Friday night. While on the forecheck, Bennett threw a hit on O’Connor behind the Penguins goal after O’Connor had moved the puck, leaving the 26-year-old dazed.
Sam Bennett with a costly penalty that leads to Pens tying goal 😬
Pittsburgh commentators compare the play to Bennett's punch on Marchand in the playoffs 😳 pic.twitter.com/AZsP0yeu4H
Bennett was handed a two-minute minor for roughing, which the Penguins capitalized on, scoring the game-tying goal and sending the contest into overtime. Florida ended up hanging on to beat Pittsburgh in a shootout.
The fine is the maximum allowable under the current collective bargaining agreement. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
This is not the first time Bennett has faced supplemental discipline. During the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Holland Landing, Ontario native was fined $5,000 for cross-checking then-Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting.
Bennett has also been suspended before. He was handed a three-game ban for an illegal hit to the head on Montreal Canadiens forward Cedric Paquette in Jan. 2022. Bennett also received a one-game suspension during the 2021 playoffs for boarding Blake Coleman of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Bennett has appeared in 38 of the Panthers’ 40 games this season, scoring 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points. If he can stay healthy and out of trouble, he has the chance to eclipse his career-high of 49 points that he set during the 2021-22 campaign.
The Panthers (24-14-2) are tied for first place in the Atlantic Division with the Maple Leafs. Florida is next in action on Monday night when they visit the Colorado Avalanche.