Panthers star Sam Bennett wins Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP
Bennett also was a factor throughout the playoffs making big hits, crowding the crease and knocking opponents off their game. He drew anger from the Maple Leafs after he
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
'Everyone looks at the goals and rightfully so, but it's everything he does, even away from the puck,' teammate Seth Jones said. 'His physical presence out there, his 200-foot game, the way he plays away from the puck defensively, how he is on face-offs, I think it's the complete package we're lucky to have. It's been a big part of our success. He puts a lot of teams, a lot of defensemen on their heels out there.'
Advertisement
Bennett's game traveled, too. In Game 2 against Edmonton, he scored his 12th road goal of 2025 to set an NHL record.
Related
:
Advertisement
Bennett could parlay his massive postseason success into a lucrative contract as a free agent whether he re-signs with Florida or goes elsewhere. The 28-year-old said it has 'actually been pretty easy' to set aside his pending free agency and uncertain future.
'Competing for a Stanley Cup has always been my goal and my passion, and what I've wanted to do,' Bennett said before Game 6. 'That's just my focus. That's all I want, and it's been quite easy to just not even think about what's to come. I mean, yeah, it's really just a singular focus and that's how I've tried to handle it.'
Bennett contributed to back-to-back goals in Game 1 by standing in front of and falling onto Skinner, and he made a big hit on Vasily Podkolzin and scored seconds later in Florida's Game 3 victory. All series, he was in the middle of the action.
MAKE A HIT ✅
POT A BEAUTY ✅
Sam Bennett is an absolute force to be reckoned with.
🇺🇸:
🇨🇦:
— NHL (@NHL)
'Physical player, incredible speed and then the hands to finish,' Panthers coach Paul Maurice said.
In a lot of ways, Bennett embodies Panthers hockey: hard-nosed, tough, willing to mix it up and also skilled enough to take advantage of mistakes.
'He does it all — it's fun to watch,' fourth liner Jonah Gadjovich said. 'He's throwing huge hits, he's playing hard defensively, working pucks in the corners, getting to the net, and obviously scoring a ton of goals. . . . He's one of the leaders on the team, someone that we can all get behind.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Miami Hurricanes Potential Playoff Berth in 2025 Hinges on Just one Player
Miami Hurricanes Potential Playoff Berth in 2025 Hinges on Just one Player originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Hurricanes defense, specifically their pass defense, failed not only coach Mario Cristobal, but they also failed the fans by missing a chance to win the ACC title and earn a berth in the expanded college football playoff in 2024. Advertisement But Cristobal addressed that issue in this offseason by raiding the transfer portal for talented players that can defend against the pass. According to Carter Bahns of the one player that is the x-factor for the Hurricanes to make the playoffs this season is, surprisingly, transfer cornerback Xavier Lucas. Lucas recorded just one INT to go with 18 tackles and two pass breakups at Wisconsin a season ago. Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) celebrates with cornerback Max Lofy (12) following an Hanisch-USA TODAY Sport With that said, the x-factor is not Lucas at all. That moniker should fall squarely on the shoulders (and the surgically repaired throwing elbow) of former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. Advertisement Beck passed for over 3,400-yards a season ago. He also threw 12 interceptions, eight of which were thrown over three consecutive games. Beck transferred after suffering the season-ending elbow injury. Then, Miami swooped in with millions and lured Beck to Florida. After an offseason of injury rehab and way-too-many distractions, Beck must step up and show what he can do at the most important position on the field during fall camp and during the season. Anything less than a conference championship and a playoff berth in 2025 will be a bust for the Hurricanes. Related: For Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes, Trouble Could Be Ahead in 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Rays bring 1-0 series lead over Tigers into game 2
Detroit Tigers (48-29, first in the AL Central) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (42-34, second in the AL East) Tampa, Florida; Saturday, 12:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Tigers: Sawyer Gipson-Long (0-0, 3.97 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 10 strikeouts); Rays: Ryan Pepiot (4-6, 3.11 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 84 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Rays -127, Tigers +107; over/under is 9 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Tampa Bay Rays play the Detroit Tigers, leading the series 1-0. Tampa Bay has gone 26-22 at home and 42-34 overall. The Rays have a 16-4 record in games when they hit two or more home runs. Detroit is 48-29 overall and 22-17 on the road. The Tigers are 33-4 in games when they have more hits than their opponents. The teams meet Saturday for the second time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Junior Caminero leads the Rays with 17 home runs while slugging .505. Yandy Diaz is 19 for 43 with three home runs and eight RBIs over the last 10 games. Gleyber Torres has seven home runs, 38 walks and 38 RBIs while hitting .283 for the Tigers. Javier Baez is 14 for 36 with two doubles, three home runs and six RBIs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Rays: 6-4, .310 batting average, 3.68 ERA, outscored opponents by 21 runs Tigers: 5-5, .258 batting average, 5.76 ERA, outscored by 11 runs INJURIES: Rays: Manuel Rodriguez: 15-Day IL (forearm), Jonny Deluca: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ha-Seong Kim: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Hunter Bigge: 15-Day IL (lat), Shane McClanahan: 60-Day IL (tricep), Richie Palacios: 10-Day IL (knee), Alex Faedo: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nathan Lavender: 60-Day IL (elbow) Tigers: Jackson Jobe: 60-Day IL (flexor), Jason Foley: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alex Cobb: 60-Day IL (hip), Matt Vierling: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Reese Olson: 15-Day IL (finger), Ty Madden: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (elbow), Alex Lange: 60-Day IL (lat) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves meet in game 2 of series
Atlanta Braves (34-40, third in the NL East) vs. Miami Marlins (30-44, fifth in the NL East) Miami; Saturday, 4:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Grant Holmes (3-6, 3.97 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 92 strikeouts); Marlins: Eury Perez (0-1, 6.43 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, five strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Braves -149, Marlins +125; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins lead 1-0 in a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves. Miami has a 16-23 record at home and a 30-44 record overall. The Marlins are 17-37 in games when they have given up at least one home run. Atlanta has a 12-25 record in road games and a 34-40 record overall. The Braves have hit 79 total home runs to rank seventh in the NL. Saturday's game is the fourth time these teams match up this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Agustin Ramirez leads the Marlins with 11 home runs while slugging .458. Xavier Edwards is 12 for 41 with two RBIs over the past 10 games. Matt Olson has 18 doubles, 15 home runs and 49 RBIs for the Braves. Ronald Acuna is 17 for 33 with a double, four home runs and seven RBIs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Marlins: 6-4, .272 batting average, 3.54 ERA, outscored opponents by six runs Braves: 7-3, .260 batting average, 3.13 ERA, outscored opponents by 17 runs INJURIES: Marlins: Ryan Weathers: 60-Day IL (lat), Jesus Tinoco: 15-Day IL (forearm), Max Meyer: 15-Day IL (hip), Derek Hill: 10-Day IL (wrist), Rob Brantly: 60-Day IL (lat), Griffin Conine: 60-Day IL (arm), Andrew Nardi: 60-Day IL (back), Braxton Garrett: 60-Day IL (elbow) Braves: Daysbel Hernandez: 15-Day IL (arm), AJ Smith-Shawver: 60-Day IL (calf/elbow), Reynaldo Lopez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Joe Jimenez: 60-Day IL (knee) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
