Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett stretched his point streak to six games in Thursday's 4-3 win against Edmonton in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. The gritty forward scored the team's third goal as Florida's offense came alive in the second period. Bennett's night included three hits and two shots on goal with a minus-two rating in 17:33 of action. The 27-year-old has been a regular on the score sheet throughout the postseason and now sits on 13 points (seven goals, six assists) through 15 appearances. Bennett boasts four goals and three assists from his current scoring run.
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett opened the scoring in Saturday's Game 6 win over the Rangers, extending his goal streak to three games. Bennett hit his sixth postseason goal of the year with 50 seconds left in the first period. His marker was the only goal of the game for a long time before Vladimir Tarasenko added a second for the Panthers in the middle of the third frame. Florida's second-line center has progressively gotten better in these playoffs and averaged a point per game in the Eastern Conference Final. Bennett has managed 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 12 outings overall this postseason.
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett enjoyed a multi-point outing as the team moved one win away from the 2024 Stanley Cup Final with a 3-2 victory over the Rangers Thursday night. Bennett picked up an assist when Gustav Forsling tied the score at one in the second period and scored himself with the net empty late in the game. Bennett's fifth goal of the postseason ended up as the game-winning tally. The 27-year-old has been a big part of Florida's success with his play at both ends of the ice. He has posted nine points (five goals, four assists) through 11 appearances with 48 hits.
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (upper body) is considered a game-time decision for Friday's matchup against Boston. He's on the cusp of returning to the lineup after missing five games. Bennett recorded two points (one goal, one assist) in as many games before suffering an upper-body injury early into the postseason. If he's ready to return in Game 3 on Friday, Bennett is expected to replace either Steve Lorentz or Kyle Okposo in the Panthers lineup. He should resume his duties as the second-line center, with Anton Lundell moving down in the lineup.
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (upper body) will remain sidelined for Game 2 against the Bruins on Wednesday. Florida expects to get its second-line center back this week, but Bennett isn't quite ready to return just yet. Anton Lundell will continue to skate on the second line. The Finnish forward has played well in the postseason, collecting points in four of the last five games. Bennett's next chance to return comes on Friday in Game 3 of the series.
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (upper body) is nearing a return to the lineup, with the team expecting him back this week. After missing a fourth consecutive game due to an upper-body injury on Monday against Boston, Bennett was on the ice Tuesday for his first practice session with the team since getting hurt a couple of weeks ago. "He's closing in, he's close now," said Panthers head coach Paul Maurice on Tuesday. "It's one of the next three games for sure, I think." Once ready to return, Bennett should reclaim his usual spot on the second line, bumping Anton Lundell down to the third.
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (upper body) won't be available for the start of the second-round series against Boston. He was initially expected to be good to go for Monday's Game 1, but Panthers head coach Paul Maurice has officially ruled Bennett out, adding that he is considered day-to-day. The 27-year-old was sidelined for the final three games of the opening-round series against Tampa Bay. Before suffering an upper-body injury on April 23, Bennett notched a goal and an assist across the first two games of the series. Anton Lundell will continue to fill in for him as the second-line center on Monday.
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (hand) is expected to return to action for the team's second-round series against either the Boston Bruins or Toronto Maple Leafs, according to head coach Paul Maurice. Bennett appeared to suffer a hand injury after being hit by teammate Brandon Montour's point shot during Game 2 of the team's first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. "That's a very real possibility," Maurice said on Wednesday. "He will skate tomorrow for the first time and then I will give you an update before the next series starts." The 27-year-old notched 20 goals and 41 points in 69 regular-season games but added plenty of physicality in the form of 173 hits and 100 penalty minutes. He tallied a goal and an assist before departing Game 2 against the Lightning.
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (hand) will miss at least a week after leaving Game 2 of the team's first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period. Bennett was struck on the hand by a point shot from defenseman Brandon Montour and will not travel for the team's upcoming two games in Tampa Bay. However, the injury is seemingly not as bad as expected, according to Panthers head coach Paul Maurice. "We came to the rink fearing it could be something sinister, something more long-term," Maurice said on Wednesday. "We got great news. It's kind of like getting a phone call saying your car was in an accident. Then, you find out it's just a fender-bender." The Panthers lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 following Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win.
Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett is set to miss significant time due to an upper-body injury suffered during the second period of Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win. Bennett was struck on the hand my a point shot in the second period and left the game. He briefly returned to the bench but went back to the dressing room without taking another shift. Bennett had tallied a goal and an assist prior to exiting. The gritty center tallied 20 goals and 41 points in 69 games this season but he also provided 173 hits, 100 penalty minutes, 171 shots on goal, and a plus-17 rating on the campaign, providing excellent cross-category production for fantasy managers.
Sam Bennett Sustains An Upper-Body Injury In Game 2
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett suffered an upper-body injury in Tuesday's 3-2 Game 2 win against Tampa Bay. He left the contest early in the second period. Before exiting, Bennett scored the first goal of the game and had a power-play assist on a Vladimir Tarasenko strike. Bennett missed 13 games during the regular season, and it looks like he might be forced to sit out some postseason action as well. Florida will re-evaluate him on Wednesday to determine Bennett's status for Thursday's Game 3. Anton Lundell or Eetu Luostarinen could take over as the second-line center if Bennett can't play.
Florida Panthers forwards Sam Bennett and Evan Rodrigues will both be back in the lineup Saturday for a tilt with the rival Tampa Bay Lightning. Both forwards missed time after blocking shots as Rodrigues missed two games while Bennett missed a 4-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. Kyle Okposo and Jonah Gadjovich will both be healthy scratches to make room for Friday's lineup. Bennett has recorded 16 goals and 32 points on the season but has also added 130 hits and 83 penalty minutes alongside a plus-11 rating. Rodrigues has tallied 10 goals and 36 points on 152 shots on goal alongside 76 hits and a tidy plus-24 rating across 65 games this season. The Panthers enter Saturday's action leading the NHL with a 45-18-4 record on the season.
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (undisclosed) will rejoin the lineup on Saturday against Tampa Bay. After scoring in back-to-back games, Bennett missed Thursday's matchup against Carolina with an undisclosed ailment. The 27-year-old centers the second line in Florida and will be joined by Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe on Saturday. Bennett has totaled 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 54 outings in 2023-24. He's had two goals and two assists in two meetings with the Lightning this season.
Sam Bennett, Evan Rodrigues Out For Panthers Thursday
Florida Panthers forwards Sam Bennett and Evan Rodrigues will both miss Thursday's road game versus the Carolina Hurricanes. Head coach Paul Maurice doesn't appear to be worried about either player. "It's day to day," the bench boss said after the morning skate on Thursday. "We will reevaluate them for the Tampa Bay game on Saturday." Bennett, 27, has tallied 16 goals and 32 points in 54 games this season. He has also added 130 hits, 134 shots, 83 penalty minutes, and a plus-12 rating to provide fantasy managers with cross-category production. Rodrigues, 30, has recorded 10 goals and 36 points on 152 shots and 76 hits across 65 games. He has spent time up and down the lineup, including on the top power-play unit at times this season.
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett matched a season-high with a three-point effort in Monday's 4-1 win over Nashville, collecting a trio of assists. He began his work with a power-play assist on a Sam Reinhart goal in the second period and wrapped things up with a pair of helpers in the third, with Carter Verhaeghe and Brandon Montour scoring the goals. An injury-riddled season has kept Bennett from producing his best performances, but he's had a decent January with nine points (four goals, five assists) across 10 games. In 34 appearances for the entire season, Bennett has notched 10 goals and 11 assists.
Sam Bennett Feeling "Fine" Ahead Of Tuesday's Action
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (upper body) looks to have escaped serious injury in Saturday's clash with Colorado and appears ready to play Tuesday versus St. Louis. He said he's "fine" after skating in a regular jersey in Monday's practice. The Panthers plan to re-evaluate him on Tuesday morning, but it looks like Bennett won't have to sit out further action after already missing 12 contests this season. He's recently enjoyed his best spell of the season, averaging a point per game over a four-game stretch. Working as the second-line center, Bennett has totaled seven goals and seven assists in 27 games overall.
Sam Bennett Enjoys Multi-Point Outing Versus Ottawa
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett had a great time against the Senators on Monday, contributing a goal and an assist in a 5-0 win. He entered the action with only one point to his name, as health issues have kept Bennett off the ice for most of the season. Monday's matchup marked his ninth appearance of the campaign, and Bennett is now on two goals and one assist for the year. His numbers should start to grow steadily if he avoids further injury troubles, as Bennett is skating with Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe, who can both score in bunches.
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (lower body) won't play Thursday versus Detroit. He made his season debut in Monday's matchup against Boston but suffered a new lower-body injury in the contest and is facing a multi-game absence. "He's not day-to-day. He's going to be a little longer," Panthers head coach Maurice said on Wednesday. "We don't think it's as significant as the first one. Have to see how he feels. What happens in the first three days will tell us how long it's going to be." Anton Lundell is set to work as the second-line center in Bennett's absence on Thursday.
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett was limited to only 7:54 of action in his season debut versus Boston on Monday, exiting the contest with a lower-body injury. He appeared to have hurt his left leg when Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm landed on it. Bennett also missed the first seven games of the season with a lower-body injury, but it's not currently clear if the two issues are related. Florida has done well without Bennett, but he's averaged 0.72 points per game with the team and definitely adds more quality to the lineup. An update on Bennett's status can be expected before Thursday's meeting with Detroit.
Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (lower body) is a game-time decision on Monday. Bennett could make his season debut against the Boston Bruins if he is ready to go. It is tough to say where Bennett would fit in the Panthers lineup, especially if they decide to ease him back in. But he eventually should end up playing top-six minutes along with some time on the powerplay. He is a worthwhile add in deeper leagues or leagues that count hits or faceoff wins, as he will chip in across the board in those formats.
