Sam Bennett wins Conn Smythe Trophy as Panthers claim 2nd straight Stanley Cup

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman discusses the upcoming playoffs and the future success of professional hockey on ‘Special Report.’

Sam Reinhart's four goals led the way to the Florida Panthers winning the Stanley Cup again over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night, but it was a different Sam who took home the Conn Smythe Trophy. 

Sam Bennett was named the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced his name following the 5-1 Game 6 win over the Oilers to seal another league title. 

Though he didn't have a point in Game 6, Bennett was the leading goalscorer of any player in the playoffs this year, finding the back of the net 15 times, while adding seven assists for a total of 22 points. 

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Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) celebrates after making an assist on a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period during game three of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Bennett joined some elite Stanley Cup Playoffs company, as the only other players to have at least 15 goals in the postseason before him were Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Joe Sakic and Sidney Crosby – all hockey legends. 

PANTHERS BEAT OILERS IN GAME 5 OF STANLEY CUP FINAL TO REACH BRINK OF TITLE

To begin the Stanley Cup Final, a rematch with the Oilers after defeating them in seven games last season, Bennett found the back of the net twice despite the overtime loss. 

He followed that up with a goal in Game 2’s victory as well as the Game 3 win to help Florida take a 2-1 lead in the series. 

Bennett’s final goal of the season came in Game 5’s win on Saturday night in Edmonton.