Leafs' William Nylander was involved in a controversial play in last night's game against the Panthers, and he could be suspended today for it. During Wednesday's game between the Panthers and Maple Leafs, William Nylander was assessed a double minor for cross-checking Panthers defenseman Nate Schmidt. Frustrated after losing the puck, Nylander retaliated in a rare display of aggression for the Swedish forward. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1861968898096001242'> </a></blockquote></div> Schmidt was out for a bit but returned relatively quickly. The question is whether Nylander will face any further discipline, but it's a play that will very likely be looked at by the Department of Player Safety (DoPS). Toronto can only hope that any disciplinary action will be light because the play seemed fairly accidental. That said, Nylander's stick did clearly catch Schmidt in the neck and face; he could be fined or suspended. Critics say the NHL is inconsistent in its disciplinary decisions, none more so than against the Maple Leafs. A reverse hit earned Oliver <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/leafs-oliver-ekman-larsson-gets-fined-by-the-nhl-player-safety-department-for-vicious-play' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Ekman-Larsson a $5,000 fine</a> while head-targeting plays by Jacob Trouba have drawn similar minimal penalties. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/LeafsPapi_/status/1848542921793958398'> </a></blockquote></div> The Maple Leafs can ill afford to lose Nylander, even briefly. The 28-year-old leads the team with 14 goals and has 24 points in 22 games. <a href='https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/panthers-get-2nd-win-in-last-8-games-roll-past-maple-leafs-5-1/article_ad946474-545d-5be0-871e-143c210f77d9.html' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Toronto fell 5-1 to Florida on Wednesday</a> and faces the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, a critical opportunity to rebound. If Nylander is out, the Maple Leafs may have some good news with Auston Matthews returning after being out for almost a month. He may be the spark that they need to get out of this hump.