Controversy is once again swirling around the NHL as officiating takes center stage in the heated Stanley Cup Playoff battle between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers. Game Two of the series, already charged with high stakes and intense physicality, saw tempers flare both on the ice and across social media after a series of questionable calls left fans and players alike in disbelief.

What should have been a showcase of elite playoff hockey quickly turned into a lightning rod for criticism, with one official’s decisions sparking widespread outrage and fueling debates about the integrity of the game.

As the Maple Leafs and Panthers continue their fierce rivalry, the spotlight has shifted from the athletes to those wearing the stripes, raising urgent questions about fairness, consistency, and the league’s willingness to address growing concerns from its passionate fan base. With the series far from over, all eyes are now on the officials, whose next moves could shape not only the outcome of this matchup, but the reputation of the NHL itself.

Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The NHL officials have been under fire in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and now fans have called for one official to be pulled after a shocking call in the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers Game Two matchup on Wednesday night.

After a dramatic Game One of the series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers, more fireworks were expected in Game Two, and unsurprisingly, both teams delivered with another one goal game.

There were many moments that defined this thrilling, chaotic matchup, but there were two that stood out the most, with the first being a dirty trip from Brad Marchand on Joseph Woll that the officials somehow ignored entirely.

The second, and the one that got the officials more heat than anything was an embellishment call on Evan Rodrigues, who simply took a hit from Scott Laughton into the glass that would end up with the Maple Leaf having four minutes in the box for roughing.

In no way does this appear to be embellishment from Rodrigues, and while Maple Leafs fans were happy the call went their way, even many of them were stunned, as fans over social media called out the officials.

After this call, the game started to get out of hand, with other hits suggesting the frustration of both teams for the officiating that has been sub-par to say the least through two games.

Knowing the NHL, absolutely nothing will be changed with this official, and he’ll continue to call games the way he has done all year, but unless something does change, this series, that potentially has five games remaining could get out of hand at any point.