Panthers’ Bennett Exits Early Due to Upper-Body Injury
The Florida Panthers faced a setback in their game against the Buffalo Sabres when forward Sam Bennett exited early due to an upper-body injury. The injury occurred during the game, but the specific moment remains unclear.
Incident Overview
Bennett, who is 29 years old, played just 5:11 in the first period before he left the bench. He was officially ruled out just as the third period began. Following the game, head coach Paul Maurice did not provide an update on Bennett’s condition.
Current Statistics
Prior to the injury, Bennett had impressive statistics for the season:
- Goals: 19
- Assists: 23
- Total Points: 42
- Games Played: 54
- Average Ice Time: 18:42 per game
Impact on the Team
This incident poses a significant challenge for the Panthers, especially as they are already dealing with injuries to their key players. Notably, star center Aleksander Barkov has yet to play this season. Additionally, center Anton Lundell is sidelined due to an upper-body injury from last week, while veteran Tomas Nosek is also unavailable after undergoing knee surgery in the offseason.
Team Performance
The Panthers faced defeat against the Sabres, ending the game with a score of 5-3. This loss brings Florida’s record to 28-24-3 for the season, leaving them nine points away from a playoff position.
