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Connor McDavid's Blunt Take on Sam Bennett’s Aggressive Play

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 7:17 AM ET

As the Stanley Cup Final shifts to Florida for Games 3 and 4 with the series tied, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is preparing for another meeting with a player he’s known since childhood.

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett has emerged as one of the most impactful players in the finals through the first two games, both physically and on the scoresheet.

McDavid and Bennett grew up together and ended up representing Canada on the international stage, most recently during the 4 Nations Face-Off last February.

Their friendship remains strong off the ice, but McDavid made clear that it won’t impact his focus this week while facing Bennett as a legitimate rival.

Leon Draisaitl & Connor McDavid addressed the media on the #Oilers practice day ahead of Game 3 tomorrow in Florida. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/UYXuFZCJgq
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 8, 2025

“Yeah, he’s always played with an edge ever since he was a little guy,” McDavid said on Sunday when asked if Bennett has always been a "pest" in terms of his playing style. “So you know, nothing that we haven’t seen before.

"He’s playing really well, you know, scoring goals. He’s a good player, and we've got to figure him out. So he’s not going anywhere. We’re not going anywhere.”

Bennett scored a power-play goal early in Game 2 but grabbed most headlines because of a goalie interference penalty following a collision with Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner.

Bennett said postgame that he was pushed by Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm and didn’t agree with the penalty call.

“I was pushed,” Bennett said. “I think the goalie kicked out my heel that made me fall. I didn’t agree with that.”

Bennett has 13 goals and 6 assists through 19 playoff games, including a league-leading 12 goals on the road.

Game 3 will take place in Sunrise, FL, on Monday, with puck drop set at 8 p.m. ET and the series tied at 1-1.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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