Sam Bennett Returns To Panthers Lineup Against Devils

SUNRISE — Florida Panthers forward Sam Benentt will return to the lineup on Thursday night after missing last game with an upper-body injury.

Bennett was a game-time decision entering tonight’s matchup against the New Jersey Devils.

After taking warmups, Bennett was listed active on the official roster report. Mackie Samoskevich — who also skated in warmups — was a healthy scratch.

The 28-year-old forward was a late scratch in Florida’s last game as his upper-body injury, “didn’t loosen up” throughout the day, per Maurice. 

Florida didn’t skate on Wednesday, however Bennett did join the team for today’s morning skate in Fort Lauderdale.

Bennett is off to the best start of his 10-year NHL career, with 15 points in as many games this season. He is second on the team in scoring, behind Sam Reinhart — who has 24 points in 16 games. 

The Panthers missed Bennett’s services on Tuesday as they fell 4-1 to the Devils — snapping Florida’s seven game win streak. 

Bennett will return as the second line center, with Matthew Tkachuk and Jesper Boqvist — who filled in for Bennett on Tuesday — on his wings. 

Panthers projected lines 

Carter Verhaeghe – Aleksander Barkov – Sam Reinhart

Jesper Boqvist – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Evan Rodrigues

      AJ Greer – Tomas Nosek – Jonah Gadjovich

Gustav Forsling – Aaron Ekblad

Niko Mikkola – Dmitry Kulikov

Nate Schmidt – Uvis Balinskis

Sergei Bobrovsky (Starter)

Spencer Knight