Analyst suggests interesting line changes involving Connor McDavid for game against Finland
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Jack Sutherland
Feb 19, 2026 (8:41 PM)
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Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Former NHL forward and current analyst Mike Johnston suggested an interesting change for Team Canada that would put Connor McDavid on the same line with a foe from the Florida Panthers.
Team Canada was able to escape from a major scare earlier in the week, as they came back twice against Team Czechia and earned a 4-3 OT win to advance.
But the worrying part was that captain Sidney Crosby was hurt and did not come back to the game, and all indications point toward him being unable to play in their upcoming matchup against Finland.
Former NHL forward and TSN analyst Mike Johnston suggested an interesting change of pace for Canada in their next game, saying that Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett should be promoted to Edmonton Oilers star forward Connor McDavid’s line.
I want Sam Bennett on Connor McDavid’s wing. - Mike Johnston
Johnston also suggested that Bennett may eventually have to physically confront his Panthers teammate, Matthew Tkachuk, who has already gone viral for taunting McDavid’s Edmonton teammate Leon Draisaitl over the results of the last two Stanley Cup Finals.
Sam Bennett And The Florida Panthers Have Beaten Connor McDavid And The Oilers Two Years Straight
Even though Bennett was picked for Team Canada in last year’s 4 Nations Faceoff and was named a replacement player for the Olympics, he and the Panthers prevented McDavid and the Oilers from winning their first Stanley Cup since 1990 in each of the last two years.
Adding insult to injury was Bennett winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP last spring, once again denying the country of Canada of a Stanley Cup.
If Canada beats Finland, they’ll play for a gold medal.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 19|262 ANSWERS Analyst suggests interesting line changes involving Connor McDavid for game against Finland Should Connor McDavid play on a line with Sam Bennett? | ||
| Yes | 113 | 43.1 % |
| No | 149 | 56.9 % |
| List of polls | ||