Florida Panthers
Sam Bennett Ready for Goal Drought to End

FORT LAUDERDALE — It was not all that long ago we were talking about Sam Bennett completely obliterating his previous career highs in goals, assists, and points.
With 13 goals in his first 25 games, Bennett was on pace to score 43 this season.
His previous high is 28 goals with Florida during the 2021-22 season.
After not scoring in his past 19 games, however, Bennett still has 13 goals.
His pace is now 24 over 80 games.
The Panthers could certainly use some scoring from some of their big guns — Bennett being part of that group.
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Coming into tonight’s game against the Ducks, Matthew Tkachuk has one goal in 13 games; Sasha Barkov has not scored in his past eight, and Carter Verhaeghe has one in 14.
Sam Reinhart had five goals in a span of three games this month, but aside from that, has one assist in January.
The Panthers, meanwhile, have survived this cold streak by some of their biggest scorers.
Florida comes into tonight’s game against Anaheim three points back of Toronto for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
“There was a stretch there where I was not playing well, was not getting chances,” Sam Bennett said after Saturday’s morning skate.
“That’s when I was more concerned about my game. But the past few games I feel like I was playing pretty well. It’s just a matter of getting a bounce. Sometimes it goes in, sometimes it doesn’t. You have to stick with it and eventually things will turn around.’’
This is a contract year for Bennett and, there have been rumors he and the Panthers are far apart when it comes to numbers.
That should play itself out moving forward.
Bennett just wants to start putting the puck back where it belongs.
After being selected for Team Canada’s entry in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, he has not scored a goal and has just four points in his past 19 games.
“It’s been a tough little stretch here offensively but I think the past couple of games have been pretty strong, have been getting the chances,” he said.
“It’s just a matter of bearing down. You’re going to have your ups-and-downs throughout the year. It’s just about staying positive and, eventually, things will turn around.”
ON DECK: GAME No. 47
ANAHEIM DUCKS @ FLORIDA PANTHERS
- When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
- Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
- Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FTL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (Naples/FTM)
- Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN
- Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
- Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
- This Season — At Anaheim: Tuesday. At Florida: Saturday.
- Last Season: Tied 1-1
- All-time Regular Season Series: Florida leads 22-15-2, 3 ties
- Up Next for the Panthers: Tuesday at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.
