Sam Bennett Could Return to Florida Panthers In Boston Tonight

FORT LAUDERDALE — Sam Bennett was back on the ice with the scratched players of the Florida Panthers on Thursday morning with coach Paul Maurice leaving open the possibility he plays tonight against the Boston Bruins.

Without getting into too much detail, Maurice said Bennett would participate on Friday’s morning skate in Boston.

A decision on his playing status would be made after that.

“He is closer,’’ Maurice said. “We will know more tomorrow after the skate.’’

Bennett, Florida’s second line center, has been out the past two weeks after sustaining a hand injury after being struck by a Brandon Montour slapshot.

The injury came in the second period of Game 2 against the Lightning, a game Bennett was dominating.

Bennett scored Florida’s first goal and had the primary assist on its second.

Later in his talk with the media on Thursday, Maurice mentioned the potential of having a tough decision to make when Bennett returns.

Maurice is already sitting Ryan Lomberg and Jonah Gadjovich due to the strong play of Florida’s fourth line.

With Bennett coming back, centers Anton Lundell and Kevin Stenlund would slide down.

Steven Lorentz, who has been terrific this postseason, would appear to be the odd man out at least initially.

“One of the challenges with Sam Bennett coming in when you have a fourth line playing as well as it is,’’ Maurice said. “What are you going to do? We’re not going to keep Sam Bennett out of the lineup, right? It is tough. There is some chemistry there.’’

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STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

FLORIDA PANTHERS (ATL1) V. BOSTON BRUINS (ATL2)

BEST-OF-7 SERIES TIED 1-1

GAME 3 

• When: Friday, 7 p.m.
• Where: Boston Garden 
• National TV: TNT
• Streaming: HBO Max
• Radio: WQAM 560-AM; 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
• Series Schedule — Game 1: Bruins 5, Panthers 1; Game 2: Panthers 6, Bruins 1; Game 3: Friday at Boston, 7 (TNT); Game 4: Sunday at Boston, 6:30 (TBS); Game 5: Tuesday at Florida, 7 (ESPN); Game 6*: Friday May 17 at Boston, TBA; Game 7*: Sunday May 19 at Florida TBA. (*) – If Necessary 
• How They Got Here: Florida d. Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1; Boston d. Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3
• Florida’s First Round — 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.
• Last Season vs. Boston — Regular Season: Tied 2-2; Playoffs: Florida won 4-3 (first-round)
• This Season (Bruins 4-0) — At Boston: Bruins 3, Panthers 2 OT (Oct.30); Bruins 3, Panthers 2 OT (Ap. 6). At Florida: Bruins 3, Panthers 1 (Nov. 22); Bruins 4, Panthers 3 (March 26).
• All-time Regular Season Series: Boston leads 64-37-7, 6 ties
• All-time Postseason Series: Florida leads 2-0 (1996 1st, 2023 1st)