Latest news with #StanleyCupPlayoffs
Toronto Sun
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Stanley Cup final viewing parties planned in Newmarket for hometown hero Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates with Mattias Ekholm #14 and Corey Perry #90 after scoring a goal against Casey DeSmith #1 of the Dallas Stars during the second period in Game Five of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 29, 2025, in Dallas. Photo by Steph Chambers / Getty Images McDavid Mania is returning to Newmarket. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account After being featured on Hockey Night in Canada last year, the town north of Toronto is asking its community members to cheer louder than ever for hometown hockey hero Connor McDavid as he returns to the Stanley Cup final with his Edmonton Oilers. To mark the occasion, Newmarket Mayor John Taylor will temporarily rename Riverwalk Commons to Connor McDavid Square for the duration of the playoffs. Folks are invited to join the town at community viewing parties for each Cup final game between the Oilers and Florida Panthers as the teams renew rivalries for the second straight final (the Panthers are defending champions.) Residents and hockey fans are encouraged to wear or display orange and blue during these viewing parties. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The Newmarket community is ready to cheer on hometown hockey hero Connor McDavid again in his quest for the Cup,' Taylor said in a news release. 'Connor McDavid has always been a part of the Newmarket community and an amazing ambassador for our town. Newmarket residents are extremely proud of Connor McDavid.' Read More Viewing parties will happen at the Riverwalk Commons at 200 Doug Duncan Dr. for each game at 8 p.m., starting on Wednesday through to Game 7. A viewing party that night would happen at the Magna Centre south parking lot at 800 Mulock Dr. McDavid serves as the Oilers captain. He grew up playing competitively with the York Simcoe Express in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, followed by the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Columnists
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Sam Bennett's stunning revival is powering Panthers toward back-to-back Stanley Cups
Sam Bennett's playoff rise fuels Panthers' Stanley Cup push (Image via: Getty Images) Sam Bennett is proving to be one of the NHL's most valuable playoff performers. Once labeled a first-round bust by the Calgary Flames, Bennett has exploded as a postseason force with the Florida Panthers. Now leading the Stanley Cup Playoffs in goals, the veteran center is showing exactly why he was a top pick and why Calgary might regret letting him go. From Calgary's forgotten center to Florida's Stanley Cup catalyst NHL Game 5 Highlights | Panthers vs. Hurricanes - May 28, 2025 When the Calgary Flames scratched Sam Bennett in March 2021—for the second straight game, it looked like his once-promising career had hit rock bottom. Drafted fourth overall in 2014, Bennett never quite clicked in Calgary's system. Inconsistent deployment, position changes, and a lack of trust from coaches turned him into an underachieving afterthought. That all changed with one trade. Since being dealt to the Florida Panthers, Bennett has transformed into a playoff nightmare for opponents. He leads the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 10 goals in 17 games, anchoring one of the league's most dominant lines alongside Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe. Their chemistry, speed, and physicality have helped power Florida to their third consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearance. In Florida, Bennett was finally allowed to play his natural center position. Under head coach Paul Maurice, he found not only a role but an identity. Aggressive, relentless, and unafraid of the dirty areas, Bennett's game fits Florida's in-your-face style perfectly. 'He's the definition of a playoff player,' Tkachuk said, and it's hard to disagree. But this story isn't just about redemption. It's also about Calgary's colossal mistake. While the Flames continue searching for postseason success, they watch from the outside as a player they gave up on now thrives under the biggest spotlight in hockey. For a franchise still reeling from inconsistency and key departures, Bennett's breakout is a bitter pill to swallow. And with unrestricted free agency approaching, Bennett's stock is soaring. While flashier names like Mitch Marner dominate headlines, it's Bennett's hard-nosed, clutch performances that have general managers paying attention. He's not just a depth piece anymore, he's a difference-maker. Also Read: Connor McDavid's wife, Lauren Kyle McDavid's reaction turns heads after Oilers' Game 5 victory over Stars For the Florida Panthers, Sam Bennett has become the player every contender needs in the postseason: physical, fast, fearless, and productive. For the Calgary Flames, he's the one that got away.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Confirmed: Lane Lambert replaces Dan Bylsma as Seattle Kraken head coach after disappointing season
Lane Lambert (via Getty Images) Veteran NHL coach and former bench boss of the New York Islanders Lane Lambert was officially introduced as the new head coach of the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. The move is more than a month after Seattle fired Dan Bylsma, who served only one year as head coach. Lane Lambert, 60, inherits a Kraken team that struggled in 2024-25, going 35-41-6 and finishing seventh in the Pacific Division to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Seattle Kraken looks up to veteran head Lane Lambert to lead a new path Seattle Kraken hiring Lane Lambert as team's next head coach The Seattle Kraken is counting on Lane Lambert's strategic experience and championship background to shake up their up-and-down roster. "I'm so excited to become the head coach of the Seattle Kraken," Lane Lambert said. "When it came time to writing a new chapter, I couldn't think of a better fit. Seattle is an incredible sports town, and I've been impressed by the energy of the fans every time I've been there as a visiting coach. This team has a talented group of young players poised to take the next step and a core group of veterans with great leadership qualities. I'd like to thank (owner) Samantha Holloway, (president of hockey operations) Ron Francis and (general manager) Jason Botterill for this opportunity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pedí tu alarma hoy y llevate Zerovision 100% GRATIS. Alarmas Verisure Ver oferta Undo I can't wait to get started.' Lane Lambert's hiring is the first significant one made by newly promoted executive VP Jason Botterill, who now has oversight of hockey operations, joining president Ron Francis. The two chose Lambert after what Botterill characterized as "an extensive search," praising his leadership, Stanley Cup background, and vision for the future of the team. Also read: Lane Lambert named Seattle Kraken head coach in bold new era of leadership With Lane Lambert now on the bench, the Seattle Kraken are sending a message of change and expectations as they begin their fifth season in the NHL. Supported by an overhauled front office and one of the league's most faithful fan bases, Lambert's task will be to make a skilled but inconsistent team a consistent playoff team — and maybe even provide the franchise with its first-ever postseason series victory.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Abbotsford Canucks Advance To The 2025 Calder Cup Playoff Western Conference Final With A 5–0 Win Against The Colorado Eagles
Why The Canucks Should Not Consider Signing Jonathan Toews This Off-Season The Vancouver Canucks have a lot of work to do during the 2025 off-season. After missing the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, GM Patrik Allvin and his team need to strengthen the lineup, which includes adding a middle-six center. Whether this is through trade or free agency, the Canucks are projected to be very active over the next month and a half, as they fill out their roster for the 2025-26 season.
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Marchand says he's going to savor trip to Cup final, knowing nothing guaranteed
What was routine early in his career has not been lately. Published May 30, 2025 • 3 minute read Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 24, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images North America FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Brad Marchand won the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins when he was 23. He and the Bruins played for it again when he was 25 and 31. He wondered if he would ever return to the title round. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account At 37 — and with the Florida Panthers — he's gotten there. And this time, Marchand is making sure he savors the chance. Over 1,274 games in his career, including playoffs, there are some memories that escape Marchand now. There are some moments that he acknowledges taking for granted, moments where he didn't use an extra second or two to appreciate being part of. That won't happen now, he insists, since Marchand knows he's much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. 'It's more like enjoying each day like, having fun when you come to the rink,' Marchand said. 'It can be stressful when you start overthinking things, start looking ahead or the pressure sometimes you put on yourself. This time around, I'm coming to the rink every day and just having fun and trying to live in the moment. You know, not taking anything too seriously.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Except the hockey, that is. Marchand is incredibly serious about the task at hand _ which resumes Wednesday night when Marchand and the Panthers open the Stanley Cup Final at Edmonton. It's a rematch of last season's Panthers-Oilers series, one that Florida won in seven games. It wasn't difficult to envision a rematch when that series ended. But there's probably nobody on the planet who would have thought the rematch would include the former Boston captain playing for Florida. 'This is special,' Marchand said. 'You don't get a lot of opportunities to be part of something like this.' The Panthers are 8-2 in the playoffs when Marchand gets a point, 4-3 when he doesn't. They're 9-1 when he logs at least 15 1/2 minutes of ice time in the playoffs, 3-4 when he doesn't. It's clear: At his age, he still impacts winning with his hands and his voice. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Guys that are vocal and intense sometimes will get up and down your bench screaming at your bench, right? They just get so wired in the game and he never does that. It's always positive,' Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. 'It's always, 'Stay in there, hang in there.' … It's bordering on legendary status at this point. He's pumping their tires and he's just, every day, excited. It's his personality.' There is a very clear silly side as well. Marchand made a trip to Dairy Queen on an off day with teammates essentially become a three-day story by saying he had one of their desserts between periods of a game against Carolina. (He didn't, the snack was honey, not a Blizzard.) He has been chirping teammates from the day he arrived in Florida. He embraces how teammates shoot the toy rats — a Panthers tradition that goes back to 1996 — at him after games, even calling it a family reunion once in a subtle nod to his 'rat' nickname. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He keeps it light, until it's time not to. If there's a scrum on the ice, he'll be involved. If a teammate needs backup, he'll be there. A chance at the Cup might not come again, and Marchand — who came to Florida at the trade deadline in a stunner of a move — is vowing that this opportunity won't be wasted. 'I may never get back this late in playoffs ever again in my career,' Marchand said. 'To be one of the last teams standing and being part of a great group of guys, these are memories that I want to remember and enjoy. I don't remember some of the series that I played and I know that there's moments that I missed out on or didn't really appreciate because I was worried about other things or stressing about other things. I'm not going to do that to myself this time around.' Toronto & GTA World Columnists World Crime
