Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett skates in his first practice of the 2023-24 regular season after suffering an injury during a preseason game. The Florida Panthers will get a big boost down the middle on Monday night when they face the Boston Bruins. Center Sam Bennett will play in his first regular season game of the 2023-24 season. The 27-year-old has been working his way back from a lower-body injury that knocked him out of Florida's penultimate preseason game against Tampa Bay on Oct. 5. Bennett was cleared to join his teammates for full practices last week and has been ramping things up since, preparing for when he'd get the green light to jump into a game. That time has now arrived. The Panthers removed Bennett from Injured Reserve on Monday afternoon, clearing the way for his official debut. Bennett is expected to center a line with Carter Verhaeghe on his left and Matthew Takchuk on his right. The trio was incredibly effective and consistent when together during Florida's push to make last season's playoffs and ultimate run to the Stanley Cup Final. LATEST THN FLORIDA STORIES Panthers return to Boston for first time since massive playoff upset [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-return-to-boston-for-first-time-since-massive-playoff-upset] Sunday notebook: Aaron Ekblad, Brandon Montour join full Panthers practice for first time this season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sunday-notebook-aaron-ekblad-brandon-montour-join-full-panthers-practice-for-first-time-this-season] Panthers goalie Spencer Knight logs shutout, playing well for AHL's Charlotte Checkers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-goalie-spencer-knight-logs-shutout-playing-well-for-ahls-charlotte-checkers] Three takeaways: Lundell shines, Lomberg-Cousins combo dominant in Florida win over Kraken [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/three-takeaways-lundell-shines-lomberg-cousins-combo-dominant-in-florida-win-over-kraken] Panthers wrap up homestand with 3-2 comeback win over Seattle [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-wrap-up-homestand-with-3-2-comeback-win-over-seattle] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]