Bennett is the first player in Panthers history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. Last season, when Florida defeated Edmonton in seven games in the Stanley Cup Final, Oilers captain Connor McDavid won the Conn Smythe Trophy, becoming the sixth player to win the award from the losing team.

What was uncertain, however, was who would take home the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Two Panthers forwards, Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, both had strong cases for the award. Bennett led all players with 15 goals this postseason,

Sam Bennett was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL playoffs MVP before a jubilant Amerant Bank Arena crowd in Sunrise, Florida, on June 17.