After leaving Game 2 of the first round against the Tampa Bay Lightning due to a hand injury, Sam Bennett He could potentially return to the Florida Panthers' lineup in the second round.
per coach paul maurice Bennett is scheduled to skate alone for the first time Wednesday morning as the Panthers await their second-round opponent.
“He'll be skating for the first time tomorrow, so we'll give you an update before the next series starts,” Maurice said.
The Panthers will have to wait a bit to find out who they will face in Game 2, as the Toronto Maple Leafs are forcing a Game 6 against the Boston Bruins on Monday night.
Still, Maurice doesn't think that will be an advantage when it comes to Bennett's recovery.
“The next series will start at the same time anyway, so nothing changes,” Morris said. “It doesn’t boost the series or give you a good rest when you’re out.”
All things considered, Maurice is optimistic about Bennett's status heading into the second round.
Asked if Bennett would return, he said, “It's very likely.”
Bennett is what Morris called the Panthers' “identity player.”
His game has the same intense forecheck and physicality that the University of Florida has built a system around that has led to success in the playoffs.
Bennett had five goals and 15 points in 20 games with the Panthers en route to the Stanley Cup Final, adding a goal and an assist in Game 2 against Tampa Bay this year before being sidelined with an injury.
stanley cup playoffs
eastern conference semifinals
Florida Panthers (ATL1) vs. Boston (A2)/Toronto (A3)
*Boston leads Toronto 3-2 in first round
best of 7 series
game 1
- when: to be decided
- where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
- National TV/Streaming: Warner Sports (TNT/TBS) or Disney (ESPN/ABC)
- wireless: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (West Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); WCZR 101.7-FM (Treasure Coast); SiriusXM
- Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
- Round 1 (Panthers won 4-1) — Game 1: Panthers 3, Tampa Bay 2; Game 2: Florida 3, Tampa Bay 2 OT. Game 3: Panthers 5, Tampa Bay 3; Game 4: Tampa Bay 6, Panthers 3; Game 5: Panthers 6, Tampa Bay 1.
- +VS. Boston
- Last season — regular season: 2-2 draw. play off: Florida wins 4-3 (1st round)
- This season (Bruins 4-0) — vs. Boston: Bruins 3, Panthers 2 OT (October 30). Bruins 3, Panthers 2 OT (April 6). In Florida: Bruins 3, Panthers 1 (11/22); Bruins 4, Panthers 3 (March 26).
- All-time regular season series: Boston leads with 64 wins, 37 losses, 7 draws, and 6 ties.
- Past postseason series: Florida leads 2-0 (1996, 2023)
- +VS. Toronto
- This season (2-2 tie) — vs. Florida: Panthers 3, Leafs 1 (10/19); Panthers 5, Leafs 2 (April 16). In Toronto: Leafs 2, Panthers 1 (November 28); Leafs 6, Panthers 4 (April 1).
- Last season — regular season: Toronto won 3-1. play off:Florida wins 4-1 (EC semifinals)
- All-time regular season series: Toronto leads with 50 wins, 38 losses, 7 draws, and 7 ties.
