Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson speaks after Florida's 3-2 win against Tampa on April 24. The Florida Panthers are going to have to maneuver an injury to one of their key players as they get deeper into their opening round series with the Tampa Bay Lightning. They may have dodged a bullet though. Panthers center Sam Bennett will miss at least a week with an upper-body injury, though Florida Head Coach Paul Maurice said Wednesday that there had been concern things were much worse. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] “We came to the rink fearing that it could be something more sinister and longer term, and got to the rink and got great news,” Maurice said, comparing it to hearing your car was in an accident and then finding out its just a fender bender. Bennett left Tuesday’s Game 2 against Tampa Bay [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/sam-bennett-leaves-game-2-early-with-apparent-injury] less than five minutes into the second period. He was skating through the offensive zone when he was hit by a Brandon Montour slapshot. The puck appeared to hit Bennett on the outside of his left hand or wrist. He quickly left the ice and walked down the tunnel to Florida’s locker room, and about an hour later the Panthers officially ruled Bennett out of the remainder of Game 2 with an upper-body injury. It’s a tough blow for the Panthers, as Bennett plays a crucial role centering Florida’s second line, and he’d been playing particularly well over the past few weeks. Tuesday, Bennett had scored a goal and added an assist in just 7:42 of ice time before he left the game. Anton Lundell will be tasked with filling in for Bennett on a line between Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk. The 22-year-old third year center did well in that spot during Game 2, playing 18:21 and picking up the primary assist on Verhaeghe’s overtime winner. “Obviously we want (Bennett) back as soon as possible, but we’re just trying to do our best, and it’s an chance for everybody to step up,” Lundell said. “We have a lot of good players. It’s all about the guys stepping up and trying to do your job even better.” Kevin Stenlund will slide up to the third line with Eetu Luostarinen and Evan Rodrigues, while Steven Lorentz is expected to slide to the middle of the fourth line. If healthy, Ryan Lomberg will likely slot back into the lineup and join Lorentz and Nick Cousins on the fourth line. The Panthers will be in Tampa for Game 3 against the Bolts on Thursday night. Puck drops from Amalie Arena at 7 p.m. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Teammates, social media react to Sergei Bobrovsky unbelievable Game 2 save [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/teammates-social-media-react-to-sergei-bobrovsky-unbelievable-game-2-save] Three takeaways: Special teams going Panthers way, goaltending great on both sides [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-special-teams-going-panthers-way-goaltending-great-on-both-sides] Verhaeghe overtime goal gives Panthers 2-0 series lead on Tampa Bay [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/verhaeghe-overtime-goal-gives-panthers-2-0-series-lead-on-tampa-bay] Sam Bennett leaves Game 2 early with apparent injury [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/sam-bennett-leaves-game-2-early-with-apparent-injury] The Hockey Show: Talking playoffs with Panthers Coach Paul Maurice [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/the-hockey-show-talking-playoffs-with-panthers-coach-paul-maurice] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
