Sam Bennett practices with Panthers, 'closing in' on return
Bennett is expected to rejoin Florida's lineup sometime this week
The Florida Panthers got a welcomed addition to their practice group on Tuesday.
Fresh off Monday night’s 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of their second round Stanley Cup Playoff series, the Panthers took the ice on Tuesday for a practice at the team’s new facility in Fort Lauderdale.
Joining the team on the ice for the first time in a couple week was center Sam Bennett.
Bennett suffered an injury when he was hit in the area of his hand by a Brandon Montour slapshot during Game 2 against Tampa Bay, all the way back on April 23.
Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said Bennett began skating late last week and, after ruling him out for Game 1 against Boston, that he would be considered day-to-day after that.
“He’s closing in, he’s close now,” Maurice said Tuesday. “It’s one of the next three games for sure, I think.”
Tuesday’s workout was not a full team practice, with many of the Panthers regulars not skating.
Still, it was an opportunity for Bennett to get out there in full uniform and test his injury in several different situations.
As Maurice explained, it doesn’t appear there is a risk of any aggravation of the injury, it’s just a matter of Bennett getting medical clearance to play.
“There'll be nothing changed from what happened on the ice unless he had a major setback, which we're not expecting, so he'll be out there,” Maurice said. “We'll see how he's feeling. It's more just doctors and things of that nature.”
Bennett’s eventual return should provide a boost to Florida’s forward ranks.
The speedy, bruising center brings a game that very much leans into how the Panthers like to play.
While Maurice gave a wider window of three games for when he thinks Bennett will return, he did leave an opening for Game 2 when asked about any potential lineup changes.
“I’m not looking for any changes as of now, but I’ll wait and see what we get,” he said.
Bennett would seemingly jump back into his spot centering Florida’s second line, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he was reunited with his usual wingers, Matthew Takchuk and Carter Verhaeghe.
Game 2 between the Panthers and Bruins is set for Wednesday night from Amerant Bank Arena. Games 3 and 4 will take place Friday and Sunday, respectively, from TD Garden in Boston.
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