More Controversy: Sam Bennett continues to find ways to get under the skin of Boston Bruins fans

Boston Bruins supporters’ latest public enemy number one has a name (Sam Bennett), a team (the Florida Panthers), and a goal (to continue playing “outside-the-lines” hockey).

None of that altered in Game 4, where Bennett had already made headlines with a sucker hit that hurt Bruins captain Brad Marchand, causing him to miss Sunday’s game.

This time, Bennett found a new way to irritate Bruins supporters by scoring a highly questionable goal in Game 4 that knotted the game at 2-2 in the third period before Florida scored a third and game-winning goal later that frame.

IT STANDS 😱

SAM BENNETT HAS TIED THE GAME IN BOSTON 🚨 pic.twitter.com/8BZuILIG3h

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 13, 2024

Bennett discovered a loose puck in front of the Bruins net near the end of the third period in Game 4. He blasted it into an open net without any resistance, at least while watching the action unfold live.

“I’m putting that puck in before Swayman can get there, whether Charlie Coyle is on him or not. So, I believe that’s why it stood,” Bennett said after the game in an interview with TNT.

Did Sam Bennett Push Coyle, Score Illegal Goal Against Bruins?

The controversy surrounding Bennett’s goal stems from his pushing of a Bruins player on the crease. That cross-checking caused Coyle to crash with goaltender Jeremy Swayman, preventing the goalie from making a save.

The replay of the play shows Bennett cross-checking Coyle from behind to provide enough space in the crease for him to blast the puck into the net.

Sam Bennett cross check to the back of Coyle.

Refs let the goal stand. Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/EYuaPIgvKI

— Savage (@SavageSports_) May 13, 2024

After pushing Coyle into Bennett, Swayman was unable to go toward him. During his post-game media availability on May 12, he outlined why the goal should not have been allowed after review.

“The fact is that my own player (Coyle) was pushed into me by theirs (Bennett), and I couldn’t play my position,” Swayman stated after the game when asked about the contentious goal.

“The fact is Coyle was pushed into me and I couldn’t play my position.” Jeremy Swayman on Sam Bennett’s tying goal. pic.twitter.com/kwmpioCO8i

— Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) May 13, 2024

Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery made an open statement regarding what the referees told him after Bennett’s goal. During his postgame press conference on Sunday, May 12, reporters questioned him about the play and what officials had told him.

“The play (Bennett’s pushing of Coyle) didn’t interfere with the goal,” Montgomery remarked during his press conference. “That’s the explanation I got.”

🎥 Coach Montgomery, Charlie Coyle, David Pastrnak, and Jeremy Swayman react following the #NHLBruins Game 4 loss to the Panthers: pic.twitter.com/tqOtj7gTWt

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 13, 2024

“If a defending player has been pushed, shoved, or fouled by an attacking player so as to cause the defending player to come into contact with his own goalkeeper, such contact shall be deemed contact initiated by the attacking player for purposes of this rule, and if necessary a penalty assessed to the attacking player and if a goal is scored it would be disallowed.”

Whoever the officials were, they allowed Bennett’s goal, which let Florida come from behind and win. Boston led Game 4 2-0 after scoring both goals in the first period.

Bruins GM to Speak on Monday Following Controversy

While coach Montgomery declined to address Bennett’s game-tying goal in depth, further information is likely on Monday, May 13.

Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney will speak to the media one day after the Game 4 loss, the team said on Sunday night, according to Ty Anderson.

Bruins vs. Panthers: A War With Sam Bennett as the Main Protagonist

This latest incident will just add to the infinite amount of drama and subplots created by the first four games of the second round series.

During Game 3, Bennett delivered a sucker punch on Bruins captain Brad Marchand, hurting him and causing him to miss Game 4. Bennett, however, denied on Sunday that he attempted to attack and injure Marchand.

“Obviously I’m not trying to punch him in the head like everyone’s saying,” Bennett stated on Sunday, May 12. “Other people may have different viewpoints.” “I braced myself for him to hit me.”

The Big Rig wanted all the smoke 💨 pic.twitter.com/XajpLZGIF2

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) May 12, 2024

After stating that retaliation “could happen” before of Game 4, the Bruins rose to the occasion. Boston’s players had no trouble bringing some more aggressiveness to the table on Sunday.

The Big Rig was beaking at Bobrovsky all warmups pic.twitter.com/DFY0wFm9Ew

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) May 12, 2024

Pat Maroon, who was acquired specifically for his enforcer skills prior to the March 8 trade deadline, spoke briefly with Bennett throughout the game. He also said something to Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky during the pregame warmups.

“This is for Marchy!” pic.twitter.com/DTSS1FhPjm

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) May 12, 2024

David Pastrnak punched Anton Lundell in the face. This action resulted in the Bruins’ offender being sent to the penalty box for two minutes with a minor penalty.