“There’s a fine line”: Edmonton Oilers voice frustration over Florida Panthers' repeated contact with Stuart Skinner

Goaltender Stuart Skinner finds himself at the center of controversy for the Stanley Cup Final as the Edmonton Oilers increasingly voice concern regarding consistent physical contact by the Florida Panthers, especially forward Sam Bennett.

The incidents have sparked debate among the Edmonton Oilers' defensemen, who feel the line between physical play and careless interference is becoming more blurred.

Stuart Skinner's safety becomes central talking point in Edmonton Oilers-Florida Panthers Stanley Cup final

As the Stanley Cup Final gets intense, the Edmonton Oilers are complaining about how the Florida Panthers are crashing into the crease, especially when it involves their starting goaltender, Stuart Skinner. Following two different incidents of collision with Florida forward Sam Bennett in the first games of the series, there are growing concerns with the inconsistent calls from the NHL on goaltender interference and the well-being of netminders. In Game 1, Sam Bennett was at the center of an explosive incident in which he hit Stuart Skinner just before a Florida Panthers goal. The Edmonton Oilers challenged for goalie interference, but the play counted, leaving people in confusion and anger. In Game 2, Bennett once again collided with Skinner, earning a goaltender interference penalty — although Bennett himself argued that the infraction had not been warranted.

“I was pushed, and then I think the goalie kicked out my heel,” Bennett said. “So, I didn’t agree with that one, but I’ll move on from that.” The physicality of the Panthers has added pressure to the defense of the Oilers, such as Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard, who are struggling to defend the crease without taking penalties themselves. "You can accidentally drop into (Skinner), but, at one point, enough’s got to be enough," Mattias Ekholm said.

"I was very surprised the goal in Game 1 stood. But it was good on the refs that they called Bennett on that play [in Game 2]. Being a leader is understanding the situation. Not doing that — we actually scored on that power play, which we probably wouldn’t have on a four-on-four situation."

Evan Bouchard seconded those sentiments, noting the fine line that players must navigate when attempting to defend their goalie without taking expensive penalties. "There’s definitely a fine line," Bouchard said. "They definitely do like to teeter with it." Bennett's past in the playoffs only serves to fan the flames. He previously elbowed Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz during Game 1 of the second round — play that sent Stolarz to the playoffs' sidelines with a concussion. Also read: Stanley Cup final spotlight: Can Stuart Skinner outperform Sergei Bobrovsky in the net?As the Stanley Cup Final moves to Florida, officiating and player behavior will continue to be in the spotlight. The Edmonton Oilers have indicated that protecting Stuart Skinner is paramount, and they'll be waiting for the league to give them clarity — and consistency — on what is deemed interference. For the time being, they'll try to toe the line between discipline and defense as the fight for the Cup becomes more heated.