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Scott Barrett retained as All Blacks captain for France series despite calls for Ardie Savea

Scott Barrett retained as All Blacks captain for France series despite calls for Ardie Savea

Washington Post5 hours ago

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has retained Scott Barrett as captain for New Zealand's three-test series against France next month, ignoring calls to promote star backrower Ardie Savea.
Barrett's reappointment was certain when it was revealed that Robertson's 35-man squad would be announced Monday at the Coastal Rugby Club in the tiny North Island town of Rahotu to which all three Barrett brothers belong.

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Du'Plessis Kirifi, named after ex-Bok skipper Morne, one of five All Blacks debutants
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Du'Plessis Kirifi, named after ex-Bok skipper Morne, one of five All Blacks debutants

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Panthers join exclusive club with 2nd straight Stanley Cup win
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Panthers join exclusive club with 2nd straight Stanley Cup win

The post Panthers join exclusive club with 2nd straight Stanley Cup win appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Florida Panthers have a chance defeat the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. The Panthers can win their second straight Stanley Cup with a win in Game 6. This series has been a wild ride throughout, and Tuesday night did not disappoint. Florida has defeated Edmonton to claim its second championship in as many years over the Oilers. Advertisement The Panthers and Oilers went back and forth in Game 6 with so much on the line. Florida did what they needed to do, though, to win it all. Sam Reinhart had a massive Game 6 performance to lead the way. The Florida star scored four goals in Game 6 to lead his team to their second straight Stanley Cup. With this win, the Panthers have joined a rather exclusive club. In the last 30 years, Florida is the fourth team to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. They join the Detroit Red Wings (1997-98), the Pittsburgh Penguins (2016-17), and the Tampa Bay Lightning (2020-21) as the only successful clubs to defend their title. How Panthers won their 2nd straight Stanley Cup Sam Navarro-Imagn Images The Panthers began their run to the Stanley Cup against a familiar foe. They faced the Lightning in the first round for the second straight season. As it did in 2024, this series did not last long. The Panthers eliminated the Lightning in five games. Advertisement In round two, the Panthers faced the Toronto Maple Leafs. This series is a rematch from their 2023 meeting, which was won in five games by Florida. However, they fell behind 2-0 in this series, and nearly went behind 3-0 at the hands of the Maple Leafs. The Panthers got their stuff together, though, and won the series in seven games. This brought the Panthers to another rematch, this time with the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals. Florida swept the Hurricanes in 2023 when they last met. And they nearly did it again this year. However, the Panthers won the series in five games after the Hurricanes avoided a sweep in Game 4. The Panthers have successfully defended their Stanley Cup title. And they will certainly celebrate this for a long time. It will certainly be interesting to see how this team operates this summer as they go for a historic three-peat. Related: Panthers' Sam Reinhart applauds 'gamer' Brad Marchand after winning Stanley Cup Related: Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky joins elite company with multiple Vezinas, Stanley Cups

Matthew Tkachuk confidently declares Panthers a dynasty after Stanley Cup Final win
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Matthew Tkachuk confidently declares Panthers a dynasty after Stanley Cup Final win

The post Matthew Tkachuk confidently declares Panthers a dynasty after Stanley Cup Final win appeared first on ClutchPoints. For the second straight year, the Florida Panthers took down the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final, as they put them away in Game 6 on Tuesday night with a resounding 5-1 victory. After scoring what would eventually go down as the game-winning goal, Matthew Tkachuk issued a strong message regarding the success the Panthers have enjoyed over the past few seasons. Advertisement After losing the 2023 Stanley Cup Final to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Panthers have responded by taking down the Oilers two years in a row now. Even though he wasn't as effective this postseason due to a slew of injuries, Tkachuk has been a crucial piece in Florida's recent run that has shown no signs of coming to an end soon. When asked whether or not the Panthers are a dynasty after hoisting the Cup for the second straight year, Tkachuk had a confident four-word response. 'Hell yeah. Absolutely, absolutely,' Tkachuk bluntly said. Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers take down Oilers for second straight year Sam Navarro-Imagn Images The Panthers endured quite a scare last year when they very nearly threw away a 3-0 series lead, allowing the Oilers to rally and force a Game 7, which Florida ended up winning. This time around, though, there was no such comeback. While Edmonton pulled off a historic comeback in Game 4 to knot the series at 2-2, the Panthers confidently responded by winning Games 5 and 6 in comfortable fashion to ensure the Cup would be staying in Florida. Advertisement Winning two titles in a row is extremely difficult, especially in the salary cap era of the NHL. And beyond that, they could have won another title had they taken down the Golden Knights back in 2023. Perhaps more importantly, though, is the fact the Panthers have shown no signs of slowing down. So while not everyone may agree with Tkachuk's dynasty take, he and his squad are going to do whatever they can to run it back again next season and prove their haters wrong. Related: Matthew Tkachuk's hilarious 2-word message to official Stanley Cup account Related: Matthew Tkachuk makes Connor McDavid Stanley Cup guarantee

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