Hughes Misses Second Game Due to Devils Injury: NHL Report
The Florida Panthers are monitoring the status of several key players ahead of their matchup against the Boston Bruins. Sam Bennett has been named as a replacement on Team Canada for Anthony Cirelli. His participation in Wednesday’s game (7 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT, TVAS) remains uncertain as he battles an upper-body injury.
Player Injury Updates
Bennett sustained his injury during a recent 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. He recorded a minus-1 rating in just over five minutes of ice time. This season, Bennett has achieved 42 points, including 19 goals and 23 assists in 55 games.
- Brad Marchand: Suffering from a lower-body injury, Marchand has missed two consecutive games. He is currently second on the Panthers with 50 points (25 goals, 25 assists) in 45 games. Marchand is also on Team Canada’s Olympic roster.
- Anton Lundell: Lundell has been sidelined for three games due to an upper-body injury. He has recorded 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 52 games this season and was recently named to Team Finland’s roster.
Coach’s Remarks
Coach Paul Maurice noted, “Put Bennett, Lundell, and Marchand all in the same category. There is a chance they all play tomorrow, and there’s a chance none of them do.” The final decision will likely be made after the morning skate on game day.
Additional Team Concerns
The Panthers have been dealing with multiple injuries, including their captain, Aleksander Barkov, who is recovering from a knee injury. Barkov has not played this season. Dmitry Kulikov, a defenseman with a shoulder issue, has missed most of the season since Florida’s first two games on October 7 and 9.
“When he walks by in his skates,” Maurice commented on Barkov’s presence, “you realize how big of a man he is (6-foot-3, 214 pounds). You kind of miss him. It’s good to have him around, for sure. There’s a longing there when you see him walk through in his gear. We got a spot for him.”
