Every single year, as teams gear for the playoffs, a memo is sent out to everyone associated with the NHL.
To sum it up, the memo basically says teams with playoff experience tend to succeed in, well, the playoffs. It's why the Los Angeles Kings were able to make two Cup runs. It's why the Boston Bruins were always favorites in the Eastern Conference. And it's why the Chicago Blackhawks are always everyone's pick to win it all. Teams with guys that have done it before tend to do it again.
Sam Bennett must have missed that memo.
Despite having just one regular season NHL game on his resume, Bennett has played with full confidence so far in the playoffs. In his six games, the 2014 fourth overall pick has two goals and an assist, despite playing third line minutes.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling right now” Bennett said. “It’s hard to even dream about this situation. It’s crazy thinking about where I was a month ago even and now going into the second round of the NHL playoffs, it’s incredible. I’m so blessed and excited.”
And where was he just a month ago? Bennett wasn't even sure he'd be able to play any games this season, considering he had surgery on Oct. 14 to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He was able to suit up for 11 games with the Kingston Frontenacs, returning to his true form with 11 goals and 13 assists. When the Frontenacs were eliminated from the OHL playoffs after four games, up came Bennett for the Flames' playoff run. And boy is he proving the Flames made the right choice with that pick.
Now, Bennett will look to continue his excellent play for the Flames against the Anaheim Ducks. He will cause fits for the Ducks defensemen group if he can provide some secondary scoring from the Flames, who have relied on Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Jiri Hudler heavily throughout the entire season.
(h/t-H4-Entertainment)
Photo Credit- Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images
