The Panthers won't have one of their key forwards for Game 1 against the Bruins.
After winning Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night (May 4), the Boston Bruins are getting right back on the ice. Game 1 of the second round between the Bruins and Florida Panthers is on Monday night (May 6).
The Bruins will be looking for revenge against the Panthers, as they, of course, lost to them in last year's postseason. However, the new year offers a clean slate, and the Bruins will look to stun the favored Cats.
The Panthers will be without one of their key forwards for Game 1. Head coach Paul Maurice shared with reporters that Sam Bennett won't play in Game 1 but is now considered day-to-day.
Bennett suffered an upper-body injury and missed the Panthers' last three games of their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Bennett, 27, is an important forward for the Panthers, so it is certainly not a bad thing that the Bruins won't be dealing with him in Game 1. Bennett is not only impactful offensively but also plays a steady defensive game and brings plenty of physicality.
Bennett appeared in 69 games this regular season with the Panthers, posting 20 goals, 41 points, 100 penalty minutes, and 173 hits.