Tim Benz: Bubbling opinions on Aaron Rodgers’ arrival, T.J. Watt’s absence, Paul Skenes’ dominance and Penguins’ future
My honeymoon in Italy was great. But I’ve had enough pasta, pizza, wine and marble statues for a while. After two weeks away, it’s time to get “Breakfast With Benz” rolling again. So, let me get caught up on a few things I missed while I was away and didn’t...
Panthers lean on Sergei Bobrovsky as Oilers deal with goalie debate in Stanley Cup FinalVideo
When the Edmonton Oilers face elimination in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers, either Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard will lead them on to the ice as their starting goaltender. The defending champion Panthers have no such debate. Two-time Vezina Trophy winner...
Panthers down Oilers, seize 3-2 series lead in Stanley Cup FinalVideo
EDMONTON, Alberta — Brad Marchand scored twice, Sam Bennett had his NHL playoff-leading 15th goal and the Florida Panthers moved to the verge of a second consecutive Stanley Cup title by beating the Edmonton Oilers, 5-2, in Game 5 on Saturday night. The Panthers improved to 10-3 on the road...
Stanley Cup Final’s overtime frenzy doesn’t faze PanthersVideo
EDMONTON, Alberta — As the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers enter Game 5 of another epic Stanley Cup Final, three of the first four games went to overtime, one double overtime. The total extra time nearly amounts to another full game of action played in the heightened intensity that is...
Stanley Cup Final becoming showcase for Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl
SUNRISE, Fla. — This is becoming Leon Draisaitl’s Stanley Cup Final for the Edmonton Oilers. The standout German forward has scored the overtime goal in each of their two wins in the championship series rematch against the Florida Panthers, including Thursday night in Game 4 to pull Edmonton even. He’s...
Chris Kreider waives no-trade clause to accept deal from the Rangers to the Ducks
Veteran winger Chris Kreider has agreed to move his no-trade clause to accept a trade from the New York Rangers to the Anaheim Ducks, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal had not...
Oilers unravel against Panthers, now chase Stanley Cup Final
SUNRISE, Fla. — Falling behind early, parading to the penalty box and losing grip of their composure, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves in an all-too-familiar position: trailing the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. Not much went right for them in Game 3 on Monday night, a 6-1 blowout...
New coach Lane Lambert says he expects to lead the Kraken to the playoffs
SEATTLE — Lane Lambert said he feels no pressure to turn the Seattle Kraken into a playoff contender. But his expectation is to do exactly that. Lambert was introduced as the Kraken’s coach Monday at the team’s practice facility. He was hired May 29 after spending last season as an...
T.J. Oshie, U.S. Olympic star in Sochi and Capitals Stanley Cup champion, announces he’s retiring
WASHINGTON — T.J. Oshie, who scored four shootout goals for the U.S. to beat host Russia at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and helped the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018, announced Monday he is retiring after playing 16 NHL seasons. Oshie shared his news in front of hundreds...
Panthers-Oilers Cup Finals has been as tight as could beVideo
SUNRISE, Fla. — After going the distance in the Stanley Cup Final last year — with the Florida Panthers beating the Edmonton Oilers by a goal in Game 7 and being one win apart during the regular season — not much is separating these two NHL powerhouses in their championship...
Brad Marchand scores in 2nd OT as Panthers beat Oilers to even Stanley Cup Final
EDMONTON, Alberta — Brad Marchand scored on a breakaway in double overtime and the defending champion Florida Panthers punched back against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of their Stanley Cup Final rematch, winning 5-4 on Friday night to even the series. Marchand’s second goal of the night 8:04 into...
Stars fire coach Pete DeBoer after losing in West final for 3rd year in rowVideo
FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer was fired Friday after three seasons with the team, getting to the Western Conference final each time but never advancing past that for a shot at the Stanley Cup. The move came eight days after the Stars ended their season in a...
‘Spectacular’ Stanley Cup Final Game 1 shows this Panthers-Oilers rematch could be a classic seriesVideo
EDMONTON, Alberta — If the series opener of the Stanley Cup Final is a hint of things to come, the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are about to give everyone a memorable show. The two best teams in the NHL over the past couple of years traded hits, goals and...
Bruins name ex-forward Marco Sturm as head coach to replace fired Jim Montgomery
BOSTON — The Boston Bruins hired Marco Sturm as coach on Thursday to help the Original Six franchise get back to the playoffs after missing them for the first time since 2016. The Bruins picked Sturm to replace interim coach Joe Sacco, who took over from Jim Montgomery in November...
Leon Draisaitl scores in OT, Oilers beat Panthers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final
EDMONTON, Alberta — When the Stanley Cup was brought out onto the ice prior to Game 1 of the final, just as it was last year, everything the Edmonton Oilers expressed about this time being different came into focus. “Last year, I was kind of looking at it with googly...
Oilers’ Hyman says his right wrist was dislocated late last round, knocking him out of the playoffs
EDMONTON, Alberta — Zach Hyman said Wednesday his right wrist got dislocated late last round, an injury that is sidelining one of the Edmonton Oilers’ most valuable forwards for the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. Hyman sported a brace on his right arm after undergoing surgery last week...
Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers face off in a Stanley Cup Final rematch of NHL powerhousesVideo
EDMONTON, Alberta — At the height of his hockey career after winning the Stanley Cup last year with the Florida Panthers, Matthew Tkachuk had a message for Connor McDavid at the Edmonton Oilers captain’s lowest point of his career in the handshake line immediately following Game 7. “We’re gonna see...
Blackhawks hire Vellucci as an assistant coach under BlashillVideo
CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks hired Mike Vellucci as an assistant coach for Jeff Blashill’s first staff with his new team. The Blackhawks announced the addition of Vellucci on Monday. He joins Michael Peca and Anders Sorensen as Blashill’s assistants. Goaltending coach Jimmy Waite, video coach Matt Meacham and assistant...
Mark Madden: Connor McDavid is among all-time greats but needs a Stanley Cup to cement legacy
In team sports, the pressure nonetheless congregates around individuals, not least in big situations. Such is the case in this year’s Stanley Cup Final, the obvious target being Edmonton’s Connor McDavid. Florida won the Cup last year. This is the Panthers’ third straight final. Nobody truly cares about hockey in...
Paul Maurice has Panthers back in Stanley Cup final, fueled by his mix of laughs and hard work
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Florida coach Paul Maurice keeps the day-to-day routine simple. Show up for work early and have copious amounts of coffee. Trust assistant coaches to do their jobs. Sit in on meetings when needed. Hammer home a consistent message with players. Swear a little bit sometimes, swear...
Panthers, Oilers more alike as Stanley Cup Final rematch arrivesVideo
A year ago when the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers met in the Stanley Cup Final, they were polar opposites in everything from climate, market and franchise history to deep-run experience and toughness. Since Florida won that series in seven games for its first championship, much has changed to make...
Connor McDavid, Oilers going back to Stanley Cup Final after beating Stars in Game 5Video
DALLAS — Connor McDavid had a breakaway goal and an assist, 40-year-old Corey Perry scored again and the Edmonton Oilers are going to their second Stanley Cup Final in a row after beating the Dallas Stars, 6-3, on Thursday night in Game 5 to wrap up the Western Conference final....
Kraken hire Lane Lambert as coach, replacing Dan Bylsma
SEATTLE — The Seattle Kraken hired Lane Lambert on Thursday night as the third coach in team history. Lambert replaces Dan Bylsma, fired after one season. The 60-year-old Lambert was most recently a head coach for the New York Islanders from 2022 until he was fired Jan. 20, 2024. He...
In Barkov They Trust: Panthers, led by captain, back in Stanley Cup Final
The entire play took eight seconds and basically summed up why the Florida Panthers have enormous, nonstop belief in Aleksander Barkov. Third period, Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, score tied 3-3. Barkov picks up the puck in the right corner. He skates around the end boards as Carolina...
Defending champion Panthers head back to Stanley Cup Final with 5-3 Game 5 win over HurricanesVideo
RALEIGH, N.C. — Carter Verhaeghe broke a tie off a feed from Aleksander Barkov with 7:39 left, and the defending champion Florida Panthers advanced to their third straight Stanley Cup Final, beating the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-3, on Wednesday night in Game 5. The Panthers beat the Hurricanes in the Eastern...