[SuperMatt18]

The big thing with Bennett is that his individual underlying numbers were always good - which means there were indications that his production struggle were luck/linemate based.

Here are some underlying advanced stats at 5v5 and where Bennett ranks on the team forwards over the last three seasons (minimum 1000 minutes played):

Underlying Stats:

Individual:
Individual Expected Goals Per 60 - 0.8 (1st)
Individual Corsi For Per 60 - 14.3 (3rd)
Individual Scoring Chances Per 60 - 9.2 (1st)
Individual High Danger Corsi For Per 60 - 4.3 (3rd)
Rebounds Created Per 60 - 1.1 (1st)
Hits Per 60 - 8.6 (2nd)
Shots Blocked Per 60 - 1.72 (4th)
Penalties Drawn Per 60 - 0.93 (4th)
Minors Per 60 - 1.26 (1st - this one is bad)

On Ice:

xGF%: 52.6 (5th)
Corsi %: 52.2 (8th)
HDCF%: 54.7 (3rd)

So he had pretty good underlying number, especially individually but a combination of linemates being unable to finish and his own poor shooting have limited his actual production:

Actual Production

Goals Per 60: 0.68 (7th)
Assists Per 60: 0.71 (10th)
Individual Shooting Percentage: 8.7% (9th)

Goals For %: 45.2% (10th)
On Ice Shooting Percentage: 6.45% (9th)
On Ice Save Percentage: .921 (3rd)
PDO: 0.985 (9th)

So he was a guy that generated a lot of his own chances, especially shot quality, but the puck didn't go in and his linemates didn't really help him a ton.

The other thing that's just different is that he looks confident at Center now, opposed to being frustrated about being stuck behind Gaudreau, Mangiapane, and Tkachuk at LW.

This might not just be "playoff Sam Bennett" but Bennett at Center with some talent on his wings.