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Panthers' Sam Bennett Response Gets Kobe Bryant Comparison

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated Jun 15, 2025 2:48 PM ET

The Florida Panthers are just one win away from repeating as Stanley Cup champions. After an impressive performance in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers, Florida will have a chance to win the Cup at home.

Florida used another strong first period to crush the Oilers, quickly quieting what was a rowdy crowd in Edmonton. With Game 6 looming, the Panthers know that this will be the toughest game of the series, with Edmonton likely coming out with a sense of desperation.

But this team has been here before, and they understand what it takes to win. Florida has been excellent this postseason and has shown why they are the defending champions.

However, the job isn't done yet, and Florida knows this. Panthers forward Sam Bennett mimicked former NBA legend Kobe Bryant with his response to the Game 5 win.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Sam Bennett said. “We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. It’s going to be the hardest game, and I think we know that. Yeah, the job’s not done yet, and a lot more work to do.”

This is a reference to Bryant saying "Job's not finished" after the Los Angeles Lakers took a 2-0 series lead over the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals. This has become the normal response for players since Bryant uttered the words, and it always gets fans fired up.

“I think it was just more composure -- not thinking ahead, just thinking shift by shift,” Bennett said. “We did a much better job tonight. We knew they were going to push. They pushed, and our PK did a phenomenal job. Yeah, just more composed tonight.”

Game 6 will be played on Tuesday, June 17, at 8 p.m. ET. The Stanley Cup will be in the building, just in case Florida does come away with the win.

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

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