Florida Panthers centre Sam Bennett of Holland Landing, Ontario became the first Florida Panthers player in franchise history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. The award is presented to the most valuable player in the playoffs. He accomplished the feat as the Panthers won their second consecutive Stanley Cup on Tuesday night in a 5-1 Panthers win over the Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers won the best out of seven series four games to two. When the Panthers won the 2024 Stanley Cup, Edmonton Oilers center and captain Connor McDavid of Richmond Hill, Ontario won the Conn Smythe.
Bennett led the National Hockey League in the playoffs with 15 goals, 11 even strength goals, and 48 penalty minutes. He had seven assists, 22 points, and was a +6 with four power-play points, one game-winning goal, 69 shots on goal, 96 faceoff wins, 11 blocked shots, 107 hits, four takeaways, and 26 giveaways. Bennett’s postseason game-winning goal came on April 30 in a 6-3 Panthers win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in game five of the first round. The Panthers went up 4-3 with four minutes and 47 seconds left in the second period. Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen had the assists.
In addition to exemplifying offensive prowess, Bennett showed a successful physical element to his game. In addition to leading all players with 48 penalty minutes, Bennett was second in hits, only behind Oilers forward Zach Hyman of Toronto, Ontario, who had 111 hits.
