Panthers' Sam Bennett: Pulls pocket aces vs. Vegas
Rotowire
Bennett had a pair of goals in a 4-1 win over the Golden Knights on Thursday.
Bennett scored the difference maker in the second period against Robin Lehner before adding an empty-netter in the final moments of the third period. The left winger has scored a goal in eight of his last 10 games, with 11 goals and two assists over that span, lifting him to 20 goals and eight assists in 34 contests this season.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Good to go Sunday
Rotowire
Bennett (lower body) is on the ice for warmups Sunday and is expected to play against Seattle, Steve Goldstein of Fox Sports Florida reports.
Bennett will return after missing just one game. The 25-year-old has racked up six goals and eight points over the last four games, giving him 25 points through 31 appearances this season. He'll skate in his usual top-six role Sunday.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Game-time decision Sunday
Rotowire
Coach Andrew Brunette said Bennett (lower body) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's contest in Seattle.
The forward missed Friday's game with the lower-body injury and it remains to be seen whether he re-enters the lineup Sunday. Bennett was scorching hot with six goals and two assists in his last four games before the injury. If he doesn't return Sunday, he should be considered day-to-day leading up to Tuesday's game in Winnipeg.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Unavailable Friday
Rotowire
Bennett is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury and will not play Friday against the Canucks.
Bennett has racked up 17 goals and 25 points in a top-six role with the Panthers this season. Joe Thornton will slide into the lineup in his absence. It's unclear how long the team expects the 25-year-old to be out, but their next game is Sunday against Seattle.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Tallies lone goal against old team
Rotowire
Bennett scored a goal in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Flames.
In his first game against the Flames since he was traded to the Panthers last April, Bennett was able to tally the visitors' lone tally. The 25-year-old has five goals and two assists in his last three games. For the season, he's enjoyed a career-best scoring pace of 0.8 points per game -- Bennett has amassed 16 goals and eight helpers in 30 outings. The forward has added 108 shots on net, 64 hits, 33 PIM and a plus-19 rating.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Unleashes hat trick in blowout
Rotowire
Bennett netted three goals, an assist, and four hits in a 7-1 win over the Stars on Friday..
Bennett has only played in four games since Dec. 29 against the New York Rangers (suspension), but in those games he has racked up seven points. The left-winger has scored 14 goals and seven assists in 28 games this season and is well on his way to being as impactful as he was in his first full season back in 2015, when he contributed 36 points in 77 games as a nineteen-year-old.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Returns from suspension
Rotowire
Bennett completed his three-game suspension Monday for an illegal hit on Cedric Paquette's head, per George Richards of Panthers Press Box.
Bennett has served his three-game suspension and will be making his return to play against the Canucks on Tuesday. Through his last 10 appearances, the 25-year-old has averaged 18:57 of ice time, 4:05 during the power play and recorded four goals and one assist.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Suspended three games
Rotowire
Bennett received a three-game suspension Sunday for an illegal check to the head against Montreal's Cedric Paquette.
Bennett will miss Florida's next three games, including Tuesday's tilt with Calgary. He'll be able to return against the Canucks on Jan. 11. The 25-year-old has 11 goals and 17 points through 26 games this season.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Could face suspension
Rotowire
Bennett has a hearing with the NHL on Sunday to discuss his hit to Cedric Paquette's head Saturday.
The hit in Saturday's game against Montreal could certainly merit a suspension. Bennett scored two goals in the game and now has 11 on the season, to go along with six assists in 26 games. Whether the 25-year-old will miss any time should become clear within a few days.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Lights lamp twice against Habs
Rotowire
Bennett scored two goals on a game-high 10 shots in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Canadiens.
He also chipped in two hits, one blocked shot and a plus-1 rating. Bennett found the back of the net in the first and third periods, both times beating Samuel Montembeault less than a minute into the frame. On the season, Bennett has 11 goals and 17 points through 26 games.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Good to go
Rotowire
Bennett (illness) is on track to play Saturday versus the Canadiens, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Bennett is expected to slot into a featured role for Saturday's contest, skating on the Panthers' second line and top power-play unit against Montreal. The 25-year-old forward has picked up nine goals and 15 points through 25 games this campaign.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Sits out with illness
Rotowire
Bennett didn't play Thursday versus the Lightning due to an illness, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Bennett has had some bad luck lately, as he played Wednesday versus the Rangers in his first game back from a stint in the COVID-19 protocols. The 25-year-old should have a good chance to return Saturday versus the Canadiens if he can put this new illness behind him.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Unavailable Thursday
Rotowire
Bennett (undisclosed) will not be available Thursday against the Lightning, Steve Goldstein of Fox Sports Florida reports.
Bennett tallied an assist in Wednesday's win over the Rangers and it's unclear why he's out Thursday. The 25-year-old forward has 15 points through 25 games this season. An update on his status should be available before Saturday's tilt with Montreal.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Clears protocols
Rotowire
Bennett cleared COVID-19 protocols and rejoined the Panthers at practice Monday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Bennett had recorded three goals and one assist through the 10 games prior to his absence. His return provides some much-needed depth at the Panthers' center position with Aleksander Barkov and Eetu Luostarinen both sidelined.
Bennett was added to the NHL's COVID-19 protocols list Wednesday.
The Panthers now have five players, including Bennett, in the NHL's COVID-19 protocols. Bennett has already been ruled out of Thursday's game versus LA, but he could be sidelined longer if he exhibits symptoms. The Panthers will likely need to recall several players from their AHL affiliate to fill in for the foreseeable future.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Tickles twine
Rotowire
Bennett scored a goal on three shots and went plus-2 in Friday's 3-1 win over the Coyotes.
Just 10 seconds after Patric Hornqvist opened the scoring, Bennett tallied to double the Panthers' lead. The 25-year-old saw first-line usage Friday with Aleksander Barkov (undisclosed) out of action. Bennett is up to nine goals, 14 points, 83 shots, 48 hits, 20 PIM and a plus-13 rating through 22 appearances.
Panthers' Sam Bennett: Continues to score against Metro
Rotowire
Bennett recorded a power-play goal, an assist and six shots in Wednesday's 2-1 overtime win over Philadelphia.
Bennett tied the game at a goal apiece 3:59 into the third period, then assisted on Aaron Ekblad's overtime game-winner. He has experienced a dramatic uptick in productivity ever since moving from Calgary to Florida at last year's trade deadline, with 13 goals and 27 points in 25 games as a Panther. If Bennett ever needs another scoring jolt, he should consider moving to the Metropolitan Division next, as five of his seven goals this season have come against foes from the Metro.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Game-time call Tuesday
Rotowire
Bennett (upper body) will be a game-time decision for Tuesday's clash with the Devils. Per the NHL media site, Bennett has been activated off injured reserve.
Bennett missed the team's previous four contests due to his upper-body issue but appears to be trending in the right direction. Prior to getting hurt, the 25-year-old winger racked up seven points in his last eight contests, including two power-play points. If Bennett plays, it figures to be in a second-line role, which could push Anton Lundell to the bottom six.
