Should The Canadiens Enter The Nikolaj Ehlers Derby?
No Discipline, No Problem: Sam Bennett's Playoff Edge Gets Results For The Panthers
In the history of the NHL, there have always been players who push the envelope with their physical style of play. Players have understood that there's a line in the sand in terms of over-the-top play, but it's hardly a firm red line – more like a dotted line that moves from situation to situation. And in every Stanley Cup playoff tournament, those envelope-pushing players take it to a new level and don't stop testing the line until the league punishes them sufficiently.
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Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sublime Stanley Cup Final rolls on tonight. Plus: PWHL expansion draft anticipation
Red Light newsletter 🏒 | This is 's hockey newsletter. Sign up here to receive Red Light directly in your inbox. Good morning to everyone except front offices that say 'as per team policy, terms were not disclosed' when they make transactions. Advertisement It's game night, let's get into it. While You Were Sleeping … you didn't miss any hockey. The weekend delivered our first three-day break of the Stanley Cup Final. We'll get another before Game 4, and again before Games 6 and 7 (if necessary). Weirdly, the only two-day break left on the schedule is between Games 4 and 5, which have travel in between. Edmonton is close to Sunrise, right? The good news is that the extra night off gave everyone one more day to get rested and healthy for a crucial Game 3 … Game 3 goes tonight The series shifts to Florida, tied 1-1 after the Panthers' Friday night win. We've got a lot of moving parts here. In fact, let's break out the bullet points: Advertisement We're not sure if Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will play tonight. He missed practice yesterday, a bit of a surprise given he never left Game 2, and coach Kris Knoblauch called him a game-time decision. It sounds like he's more likely to suit up than not, but obviously any sort of significant injury to the former 100-point forward could be big. The Oilers already sound like they're tired of the Panthers 'accidentally' falling onto their goalie. Mattias Ekholm says 'enough's enough,' but he's not a referee, so his opinion won't matter much. Lobbying the officials between games is part of the playoffs, and the Oilers certainly have a case here. Let's see if it earns them a call in the blue paint at some point the rest of the way. Notably absent from the scoresheet so far in this series: Sasha Barkov and Sam Reinhart, both of whom have been pointless. Wait, that sounded harsh — I meant that they haven't scored any points, not that they've been … you know what, you get it. As Daniel Nugent-Bowman points out, the ice has been tilted in the Panthers' favor in the two second periods we've seen so far. That could be a fluke, or it could be a lack of focus from the Oilers. (It could also be the long change, although that hasn't been an issue in overtime.) Advertisement Game 3 is tonight at 8 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV, Max and Sportsnet. Has this been the best 2-game start of the era? I think it has been. If we're just going based on the first two games of every Stanley Cup Final since 2005, this one is at least on the podium, if not taking home gold. That's partly because it's been a legitimately great start, with a pair of overtime games, plenty of offense and multiple highlight-reel plays. It's also because the bar is kind of low. In fact, this is only the sixth time in the cap era that a Stanley Cup Final has been split 1-1 after two games. The other 14 series all saw a team take a 2-0 lead. Advertisement Of the five previous splits, three — the finals in 2015, 2018 and 2020 — didn't feature any overtime at all. We did get one overtime in 2019, when the Bruins won Game 1 in regulation only to have the Blues come back with an OT win to square the series in Game 2. But with all due respect to those Gloria-infused days, the only final whose start really compares to this one was in 2013, when the Blackhawks and Bruins served up a triple-OT classic in the opener that was won by Chicago, followed by a Boston win midway through the first extra period in Game 2. That series ended up being one of the better finals in recent memory, featuring an additional overtime in Game 4 and the 17-seconds game in Game 6. It didn't go seven games, though, which I think we can all agree would be unacceptable for the Oilers and Panthers. For now, at least, we can't complain. If this hasn't been the best two-game start to a final in the cap era, it's been awfully close. Trivia time💡: Which team holds the record for the most appearances in the Stanley Cup Final without ever having a player win the Conn Smythe? Answer at the bottom of this email … among other places. Coast to Coast 🚨 The only thing weirder than an NHL goalie is a third-string NHL goalie. Peter Baugh had a fun piece on some of the guys who held that role for championship teams, and the weird thing that connects many of them during the Cup handoff. Advertisement 🐀 Speaking of weird connections, Michael Russo found one between veterans Corey Perry and Brad Marchand. 🥅 We can enjoy the final, but let's not forget how we got here. I've got you covered with a ranking of the 14 series that led us to this one. 👶 The NHL Scouting Combine has wrapped up, meaning your favorite team now has a good idea of which player it will claim to be shocked was still available when their pick came up. Eric Stephens has more on the week and how much the draft process has changed over the years. 🍁 And finally, be sure to check out this slick YouTube video in which we try to explain the Canadian Cup drought. Come for the high-quality content, stay for the nagging feeling that you didn't think my voice would sound like that. PWHL Expansion 🔥 And then there were 8 It's expansion draft night in the PWHL. We covered some of the basics in the last edition of Red Light, but a lot has changed since then. New homes for superstars such as Sarah Nurse and Hilary Knight are taking the spotlight, but you can track all of the moves right here. With the draft set for 8:30 p.m. ET tonight (we'll have live coverage), I asked Hailey Salvian to check in with an update. Advertisement Sean: As someone who follows the PWHL but doesn't know all the ins and outs, the last few days have seemed stunning to me. Are league insiders surprised too, or is this more a case where casual fans just have to play some catch up? Hailey: Honestly, the whole process has been pretty wild. When you see the rules — specifically that teams could initially protect only three players — you that stars are going to be on the move. But its one thing to understand that and another to see players like Knight, Nurse and Alex Carpenter left unprotected by their respective teams. Not protecting Carpenter, who ranks third all-time in league scoring, might have been the only real surprise to me over the last few weeks. Because as baffling as it is to leave Nurse or Knight unprotected, you can at least understand why teams might have made those decisions. In terms of who signed and where, nothing was too surprising. I figured the general managers in Seattle and Vancouver would want to use their five signing slots on top players who were left unprotected, rather than negotiate with free agents who might still be available later this summer. And for the unprotected players, its reasonable that they'd want to dictate where they go, rather than take their chances in the draft. Advertisement If you're a casual fan who feels overwhelmed, don't feel bad. It's been a whirlwind for literally everyone involved, from die-hard fans to players, agents and your local PWHL writers. Sean: What should we be expecting tonight, and are there any realistic options that could add to the surprise factor? Hailey: Without knowing the draft order (which the league won't be revealing until the broadcast starts) it's hard to project exactly what might happen. My safe assumption is that once the top remaining players (like 2024 fourth-overall pick Hannah Bilka) are off the board, both general managers will look for the best players at the best price — rather than just grabbing the top scorers or most recognizable names. Vancouver and Seattle will need to keep the salary cap — which will go up to $1.34 million next season — in mind and won't want to spend too much on 12 players out of what will need to be a 23-player roster. Advertisement Each GM would do well to keep some money earmarked for free agency, where top players such as Natalie Spooner, Tereza Vanišová and Jesse Compher might be available, and the entry draft, with some top young talent incoming. There will surely be some off-the-board picks, but I don't expect any extra fireworks from side trades or truly wild selections. Sean: When the dust finally settles, are Vancouver and Seattle going to be contenders right away? Hailey: It's hard to imagine Seattle and Vancouver coming out of the draft without having legit playoff-caliber rosters. If either team is bad next season, that would likely be due to user error. The rules have been set up for these teams to contend on day one. The Votes Are In America loves Edmonton? Last time around, I wondered about the USA/Canada divide in this Stanley Cup Final, especially with everything that's happened between the two nations both on and off the ice in recent months. I wasn't sure whether that would impact allegiances, and so I asked Red Light readers what they thought. Advertisement Well, the results are in, and … well, there's a bit of patriotism playing out, but you have to squint to see it. Up north, we're all-but-unanimous in backing the Oilers, and 60 percent of the Edmonton bandwagon says it's because they're Canadian. That's a majority, but not as much as you might expect given how much the 'bring Stanley home' message has been beaten into the ground up here. As for you Americans, you barely seem to have noticed the cross-country stakes at all. What you have noticed is that the Panthers are a bunch of dirtbags, with the overwhelming majority of you saying that you're rooting for Edmonton. I wasn't expecting that, but I can only assume it's because your entire country has fallen in love with Oilers legend Dwayne Jetski. Trivia Answer The answer was hiding in plain sight After a string of admittedly tough questions, today I gave you one where the answer was staring you in the face. The record for most final appearances without a Conn Smythe win is held by the Florida Panthers, who are currently in the final for the fourth time in history but have never had a player win playoff MVP honors. (They lost the final in 1996 and 2023 and then won the Cup last year, but Connor McDavid was the rare case of a player on the losing team getting the Conn Smythe.) Advertisement Of course, we don't know who'll win the MVP honors this year — Sam Bennett has a sneaky good chance if the Panthers win — so maybe you don't want to count the 2025 final just yet. If that's the case, it knocks the Panthers down to three appearances. That would tie them with the Vancouver Canucks, who went to the final in 1982, 1994 and 2011, only to see their opponent skate off with the Cup — and the Conn Smythe. 📫 Love Red Light? Check out 's other newsletters. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Women's Hockey 2025 The Athletic Media Company
NBC Sports
31 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
South Florida pro sports teams are inspired by the success of the Florida Panthers
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Jaylen Waddle considers himself the Florida Panthers' good luck charm. The Miami Dolphins wide receiver has been to several Panthers hockey games over the years. He banged the drum before a postseason matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning last season. He cheered on coach Paul Maurice's team after a thrilling overtime win over Tampa Bay this year. By Waddle's estimation, whenever he's in the building, that equals a win for his favorite hockey team. 'I'm going to go to the finals,' Waddle quipped after a practice. 'I think they need to invite me sometime soon in an important game, because I think they're pretty undefeated when I'm there. 'Panthers – Hey, I'll be waiting.' The Panthers are in the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year. They're three wins away from defending their 2024 title. The Panthers went from winning just 25 playoff games in their first 28 seasons combined to winning more than 40 — and counting — in the past three seasons. And their general manager, Bill Zito, has been in conversations for GM of the Year for several seasons after building title-contending rosters year after year. They're the pinnacle of success in South Florida, and other pro sports teams in the region have taken notice. Many are inspired by what the Panthers have built and use it as a blueprint for success. 'I think the Florida Panthers as an organization have done an unbelievable job of creating a sense of, 'We've been here before,' or a certain level of expectancy of performance,' Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. 'All of those things, you can never have too many friendly reminders of what you're fighting for. There's nothing more motivating than watching people that really sacrifice hard earned monthly income to support athletic performance. You can feel it.' The Dolphins once were that team for South Florida. Nearly 53 years ago, a fiery coach named Don Shula guided Miami to the NFL's only perfect season. Reminders of that dominant Dolphins era still are plastered throughout South Florida. But it's been a while since Miami has been such a powerhouse. The Dolphins went to the playoffs in each McDaniel's first two seasons in Miami. They missed them last year and have not won a postseason game since 2000 — the longest such streak in the NFL. Waddle and other Dolphins players, including standout defensive tackle Zach Sieler and linebacker Bradley Chubb have been to Panthers games recently. For them, watching a run like the Panthers' is just the motivation they need. 'They definitely bring an urge to the city,' Waddle said. 'Every professional sport in the city, it's just like they're pretty much the standard with all that they've accomplished over the past years. It's definitely like a fire under us to try to match them.' Before the Miami Marlins got ready for a midweek game against the San Francisco Giants, manager Clayton McCullough donned a bright red Florida Panthers hat. The first-year Marlins manager doesn't necessarily consider himself a huge hockey follower. He's only able to catch scores here and there. 'But I'm a fan now of our local Panthers team,' McCullough said. 'I hope they can repeat as Stanley Cup champions.' McCullough has been tasked with being a centerpiece of the Marlins' latest rebuild. Miami went 62-100 last season, dropping at least 100 games for the second time in six seasons. He knows what success looks like after winning the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers as their first base coach last season. He said it's good for the entire city when one team is winning titles. 'We're all part of a fabric here in the community,' McCullough said. 'When one team is doing well, it's great for the entire area, for South Florida, for them to be doing so well. And we hope too that we're making deep runs in September and October in the years to come. 'The fanbase, they get galvanized by that, and we'd love to support all of our pro teams here that are successful.' Maurice and the Panthers players feel the support, and they have no problem sharing their triumphs. 'There's room for all of us down here. There's certainly enough people,' Maurice said. 'I think it's a great thing that you have sports that are foundational: football, basketball, baseball. And then the new sport, hockey. And there's room for everybody there. So how about we just share it? Share the spotlight, share all of it. ... There's room for everybody here. We're happy to be a part of it.'
New York Times
40 minutes ago
- New York Times
Stanley Cup Final 2025 Game 3 live updates: Oilers vs. Panthers start time, picks and predictions
Hello hockey fans and welcome to The Athletic 's live coverage of Game 3 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. Game 1 checked all the boxes, featuring elite hockey, high intensity and a cardiac finish, as the Oilers overcame a two-goal deficit to win in overtime on a power-play goal by Leon Draisaitl. For the Panthers, it was the first time in all 31 playoff games under coach Paul Maurice that his squad lost when leading after the first or second period. Game 2 brought a new level of chaos as a game-tying goal by Edmonton's Corey Perry with 18 seconds remaining in regulation forced overtime for the second consecutive game. Neither team scored in the first overtime but 8:04 into the second, Brad Marchand became the hero for the Panthers as he beat Stuart Skinner for his second goal of the game, sending this series back to Florida tied 1-1. What will Game 3 of this chaotic 2025 Stanley Cup Final have in store?
