Photo credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The Florida Panthers are starting to look very familiar again.
After a sluggish opening to the 2025-26 season, the Panthers have surged up the standings by winning eight of their last 10 games and collecting points in nine of their last 11. That run has pushed Florida into control of the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and firmly back into the playoff conversation.
In the Atlantic Division, the margins are razor thin. The Panthers sit one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for third place, three points back of the Montreal Canadiens for second, and five points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the division lead. With momentum building, Florida is once again chasing history, eyeing a third straight Stanley Cup, something last accomplished by Denis Potvin's New York Islanders in the early 1980s.
A major reason for the Panthers' resurgence has been the play of Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett. After a slow October that saw him manage just one goal, one assist, and a minus-9 rating, Bennett has flipped the script in a big way. On the season, he now has 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) with a plus-4 rating, a strong bounce-back for last year's playoff MVP.
Signed to an eight-year, $64 million extension this past offseason, Bennett's deal is beginning to look like a cornerstone investment rather than a gamble.
Bennett's impact goes beyond the scoresheet
Since Nov. 17, Bennett has been on a tear, scoring 10 goals and adding 11 assists. He's currently riding a four-game point streak with five points during that stretch. His ability to score in multiple ways, whether crashing the net or creating space down low, has helped Florida rediscover its identity.
Off the ice, Bennett's success carries added meaning. Through his «Benny's Buddies» initiative with the Humane Society of Broward, every goal he scores results in an adoption fee being waived for a pet in need of a forever home. Since launching the program, Bennett has scored 111 regular-season goals and 42 playoff goals, translating to 152 adoption fees waived.
Inside the room, Bennett's teammates have taken notice. His consistency, physical edge, and leadership have helped steady a team navigating injuries and a compressed schedule.
As the Panthers continue their climb, Bennett's resurgence is proving to be more than a hot streak. It's become a driving force behind Florida looking like a contender once again.