Matthew Tkachuk Blatantly Attempts to Injure Mitch Marner in a Disgusting Display of Poor Sportsmanship

The Toronto Maple Leafs knew that the Florida Panthers were a dirty team, and they witnessed it first hand in Game 1 of their second round series.

In the second period, Sam Bennett took a run at goaltender Anthony Stolarz and pretty well gave him a concussion that could end his playoff run.

Meanwhile, with the time winding down in the third period, Matthew Tkachuk got frustrated and almost delivered what could have been a devastating hit on Mitch Marner.

As you can see in the clip below, Tkachuk and Marner crossed paths and while they weren't going to collide, the former tried to change course and throw up an elbow.

Mitch Marner was able to avoid contact, however, had they collided, this could have been devastating for the Maple Leafs forward.

It was a clear and blatant attempt to injure. Since nothing happened, there will not be an investigation. However, the Maple Leafs will need to find ways to deter the Panthers from doing this stuff.

Perhaps Ryan Reaves will need to play in Game 2. While the Leafs probably don't want to have to resort to this, they are being left no choice.

The Florida Panthers are showing the Maple Leafs what kind of team they are, and the Leafs would be best served responding accordingly.

No one took a run at Bennett after he injured Anthony Stolarz, and that in and of itself is pretty concerning.

Having said that, we can only hope that the NHL takes a look at the Panthers and at least hands down a punishment to Bennett.