STEPHEN WHYNO Hockey Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman presents the Conn Smythe Trophy to Sam Bennett after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Florida Panthers star Sam Bennett wins Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP

June 17, 2025

Sam Bennett has won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after leading the Florida Panthers to a second consecutive Stanley Cup championship. Bennett scored 15 times to lead all playoff scorers this season. He also was a factor physically by making some big hits, crowding the crease and knocking Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner and other opponents off their game. Bennett could parlay his massive postseason success into a lucrative contract as a free agent whether he re-signs with Florida or goes elsewhere.

Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) congratulates goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup final Monday, June 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

‘Dialed in’ from October, the Panthers are a win away from repeating as Stanley Cup champions

June 16, 2025

The Florida Panthers are one win on home ice away from repeating as Stanley Cup champions. That chance comes Tuesday night in Game 6 of the final against the Edmonton Oilers. They’re looking to be the third team to go back to back since the NHL’s salary cap era began in 2005 and the 19th in league history. The Panthers moved to the verge of another title by beating the Oilers on the road and taking a 3-2 lead in the series. They hope to avoid the same pitfall of losing their first close-out game like the final last year against Edmonton.

FILE - Atlantic Division's Brady Tkachuk, of the Ottawa Senators (7) and Matthew Tkachuk, of the Florida Panthers (19) watch the rerun of a goal by Matthew assisted by Brady during the NHL All Star hockey game, Feb. 4, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)

US hockey announces initial 6 players for 2026 Milan Olympics

June 16, 2025

The U.S. named Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy as its first six players for the 2026 Olympics. General manager Bill Guerin said that group of four forwards and two defensemen avoids goaltenders because USA Hockey wanted to let the first half of the next NHL season play out. Canada and Sweden also picked six skaters for their preliminary rosters. Playing in the Stanley Cup Final, Connor McDavid was among those chosen for Canada. This would be his first Olympics after the league did not take part in 2018 and 2022.

Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) defends Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup final Monday, June 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Connor McDavid is producing in the Stanley Cup Final, but is it enough for the Oilers?

June 16, 2025

Connor McDavid scored his first goal of this Stanley Cup Final in Game 5, only after he and the Edmonton Oilers fell behind 3-0 on the way to getting pushed to the brink by the defending champion Florida Panthers. He has a series-best six assists, and only Leon Draisaitl has more points than McDavid’s seven. But the best hockey player in the world is always in the spotlight, and he hasn’t broken out thanks in large part to Aleksander Barkov and the Panthers defending him tightly.

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) takes control of the puck as Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) defends during the third period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Stanley Cup Final is becoming a showcase for the Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl

June 13, 2025

This is becoming Leon Draisaitl’s Stanley Cup Final for the Edmonton Oilers. The standout German forward has scored the overtime goal in each of their two wins in the championship series rematch against the Florida Panthers. He’s just the fifth player in NHL history and first in over three decades to score twice in overtime in the final. Draisaitl’s four OT goals this playoffs are the most in a single postseason. With the Panthers doing their darndest to stop Connor McDavid, Draisaitl is making his case for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Leon Draisaitl scores in OT again, Oilers beat Panthers 5-4 in Game 4 to tie Stanley Cup Final

June 12, 2025

Leon Draisaitl scored in overtime for the fourth time this playoffs, and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final and tie the series, erasing a three-goal deficit and bouncing back from allowing the tying goal in waning seconds of regulation. Jake Walman had initially given the Oilers their first lead with 6:24 left in the third period, before Sam Reinhart scored with 19.5 seconds left to send it to overtime. Three of the first four games of this final have needed extra time to be settled, the first time that has happened since 2013 and fifth time in NHL history.

FILE - Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck watches the puck on a save against the Boston Bruins during the third period of an NHL hockey game Jan. 30, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck is 6th goalie in NHL history to win Hart and Vezina in the same year

June 12, 2025

Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck has won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP and the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender. He is the first goalie to take home the awards in the same year since Carey Price in 2015 and just the sixth all time. Dominik Hasek did it twice in the 1990s. Hellebuyck finished ahead of Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl and Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov in Hart voting by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. He was a landslide winner of the Vezina as chosen by general managers. Los Angeles captain Anze Kopitar won the Lady Byng for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct for a third time.

Florida Panthers fans cheer the team as they enter the ice before the first period of Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup final against the Edmonton Oilers Monday, June 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

NHL’s state income tax debate heats up with the Florida Panthers back in the Stanley Cup Final

June 10, 2025

The Florida Panthers are two wins away from being the fifth Stanley Cup champion in the past six years to based in a U.S. state with no income tax. It has become a hot topic around the NHL. The financial edge is just one advantage teams like the Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars have in attracting and retaining players. Everything from the weather to strong ownership and talented front offices and rosters factors in. Places like Edmonton have different draws, including the passion of a hockey-mad fan base.

NHL referees separate Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (15) and Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup final Monday, June 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Oilers’ penalty woes and composure issues lead to blowout loss and put them in precarious spot

June 10, 2025

The Edmonton Oilers took the ice for practice the day after the wheels came off in a 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. They were eager to put their worst showing since very early in the playoffs behind them. They trail the series 2-1 with the defending champions another win away from moving to the verge of going back to back. Penalty trouble was the primary culprit long before the game got out of hand, and goaltender Stuart Skinner’s play is just one of the reasons for concern.

FILE - Florida Panthers' A.J. Greer plays during an NHL hockey game, Jan. 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, file)

A.J. Greer makes his Stanley Cup Final debut for the Florida Panthers in Game 3

June 9, 2025

A.J. Greer returned for the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final after missing the first two in the series because of injury. Jesper Boqvist came out of the lineup to make room for Greer. His first career appearance in the final comes a little over four years since Greer almost gave up on his NHL dream. But instead of going to Europe to try to make money while he still could, Greer adapted his style of play and changed his mindset to get back on track.

Panthers-Oilers Stanley Cup Final is as tight as can be. Game 3 could tilt the series

June 8, 2025

The second consecutive Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers has been about as even as a series can get through two games, with each winning one in overtime. The Panthers have led for more time, the Oilers have gotten more shots on net and a bounce or two here or there could have changed the complexion of where these teams are at. That’s still the case going into Game 3 on Monday night with the chance that small adjustments could tilt the series one way or the other.

STEPHEN WHYNO Hockey Writer.

Florida Panthers star Sam Bennett wins Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP

‘Dialed in’ from October, the Panthers are a win away from repeating as Stanley Cup champions

US hockey announces initial 6 players for 2026 Milan Olympics

Connor McDavid is producing in the Stanley Cup Final, but is it enough for the Oilers?

Stanley Cup Final is becoming a showcase for the Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl

Leon Draisaitl scores in OT again, Oilers beat Panthers 5-4 in Game 4 to tie Stanley Cup Final

Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck is 6th goalie in NHL history to win Hart and Vezina in the same year

NHL’s state income tax debate heats up with the Florida Panthers back in the Stanley Cup Final

Oilers’ penalty woes and composure issues lead to blowout loss and put them in precarious spot

A.J. Greer makes his Stanley Cup Final debut for the Florida Panthers in Game 3

Panthers-Oilers Stanley Cup Final is as tight as can be. Game 3 could tilt the series

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