SAM BENNETT: A PLAYOFF PLAYER

Sam Bennett is more known for his physical play than for his goal scoring — his 25 goals during the 2024-25 season were the second most to that point in his career. In the playoffs, Bennett found a new level, becoming the second fastest to that point in club history to score 10 goals in a single postseason (17 games). “I always felt the need to perform when the game’s the biggest,” Bennett said. “It’s something I’ve always prided myself on.” Matthew Tkachuk, Bennett’s teammate with the Panthers and earlier with the Calgary Flames, called him “the definition of a playoff player.”