How Sam Bennett transformed into a playoff MVP candidate - ESPN

SUNRISE, Fla. — Everything one needs to understand about Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett as a Stanley Cup playoffs juggernaut was epitomized by one shift in their Game 3 win over the Edmonton Oilers.

It began with a backcheck. It continued with a thundering hit on Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin right after he released the puck — brutal, legal. Podkolzin had made a short pass to Edmonton defenseman John Klingberg, so Bennett hit him, too. He kept fighting for the puck along the boards before attempting a clear that was intercepted briefly, before Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen jarred it loose.

Bennett saw this and — like he had just used a power-up in a game of Mario Kart — blew past everyone to accept a pass for a breakaway on Stuart Skinner, who was frozen in place as Bennett deposited the puck behind him for the fourth goal of a 6-1 blowout.

«That shift was a perfect example of his game: Blows two guys up and then he somehow leads the rush after that to score a beautiful goal. He can do it all,» said Brad Marchand, a one-time Bennett adversary turned Panthers teammate. «He has been an animal this whole playoffs. He's built for this time of year.»

Every round, Bennett has validated this thesis. He leads the NHL postseason in goals with 14, four more than Edmonton star Leon Draisaitl. This is Florida's third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final. In that span, no one on the Panthers has scored as many goals (26) as Bennett.

«You just see him year after year, playoffs after playoffs. That's where he makes his name,» Matthew Tkachuk said. «He's the definition of a playoff player. And it's really fun to play with him, especially at this time of year.»

His 20 points in 20 games leads the team. In a Panthers run