Ex-NHL enforcer Sean Avery waxes lyrical about Sam Bennett's play in crucial Game 2 goal

Former NHL enforcer Sean Avery praised Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett following the Florida Panthers’ 5-4 double-overtime win on Friday against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Watching the game from home, Avery shared a video breakdown of Bennett’s early power-play goal, calling it a moment of high-level hockey IQ.

"Sam Bennett has read The Art of War 1,000 times." Avery said.

Avery focused on a sequence where Bennett came back 200 feet on the power play, kept the play onside with a stop-up and made a decisive move leading to the opening goal.

"Nine white, responsible, comes underneath 200 feet on the power play. Wants it. Watch the stop-up — keeps the play onside," Avery narrated. "Tkachuk with the little bump-back. Bennett knows Rodrigues is going to be in the quiet zone. Now he gets on his horse.

"Smells blood in the water. Stick on the ice. Here's the kick. Boom, boom. He kicks this guy's stick. He scores — back of the net. Sam Bennett, what a savage."

Bennett scored just 2:07 into the first period, notching up his 13th goal of the playoffs and setting an NHL record with his 12th on the road in a single postseason. He also added two penalty minutes and four hits in the game.

Bennett has four goals and an assist in his last three games, along with six helpers, 91 hits and a plus-3 rating across 19 playoff contests. His consistent performances, especially in away games, has been a major reason for Florida’s success this postseason.

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Sam Bennett appreciated Brad Marchand's OT goal for Panthers

Apart from Sam Bennett, Seth Jones, Dmitry Kulikov and Brad Marchand also scored for Florida. Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 42 saves while facing 46 shots to keep the Panthers strong in the net.

Late in the game, Brad Marchand sealed the win with a breakaway goal in double overtime. Bennett praised his teammate postgame:

"I think our whole bench stood up when he had a breakaway there," Bennett said (via NHL.com). "It's just a huge play at a huge time. He's been incredible for us this whole playoffs, scoring massive goals at massive times. That one was definitely the biggest."

Game 3 is at Sunrise, Florida, with the series tied 1-1. As the Panthers look to maintain their edge, Sam Bennett’s rugged, high-effort play will be much needed to get a lead in the series.