Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett, who is yet to make an appearance this season, has made significant progress in his recovery from a lower-body injury sustained in a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 5th. After a period of absence, Bennett returned to practice and could potentially be back in the lineup for the Panthers’ upcoming game against the Seattle Kraken in Sunrise on Saturday night. As Bennett reflects on his recovery, he expressed his excitement to be back on the ice, emphasizing how much he has missed the game during his time away.
During his first practice after the injury, Bennett found himself in a familiar and comfortable position, centering a line that consists of Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe. Tkachuk, who had a remarkable season last year with 40 goals and 109 points, has struggled to find the back of the net this season, recording no goals but six assists in six games. Similarly, Verhaeghe, who had an impressive season with 42 goals and 31 assists, has yet to reach the same level of success, tallying three goals and no assists so far. However, when Bennett, Tkachuk, and Verhaeghe skated together last season, they demonstrated their ability to outscore opponents by a significant margin, with a scoreline of 23-12. The Panthers are hopeful that Bennett’s return will reignite the dynamic chemistry of this line and lead to increased offensive productivity.
In addition to Bennett’s injury, the Panthers have faced other challenges within their roster. Captain Aleksander Barkov and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov have been battling the flu but could potentially return to the lineup against the Kraken. Defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour are currently on injured reserve, further depleting the Panthers’ defensive depth. However, the return of renowned goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who was rested in the Panthers’ recent victory over the San Jose Sharks, is expected against Seattle. Bobrovsky has exhibited a 2-3-0 record with a 3.06 goals-against average this season. Another player to keep an eye on within the Panthers’ roster is center Sam Reinhart, who leads the team in goals (seven) and points (nine). Reinhart’s standout performances earned him recognition as the NHL’s Third Star of the Week after scoring five goals in three games.
Despite the Seattle Kraken’s impressive leap from 60 points as an expansion franchise last season to 100 points, securing a playoff berth and upsetting the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, they have experienced a sluggish start this season. The Kraken have lost six of their eight games and are eager to turn their fortunes around. Their latest defeat came in a narrow 3-2 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes, with the game-winning goal being scored with just 10 seconds remaining in overtime. Despite their struggles, Kraken coach Dave Hakstol commended the team for their hard work and persistence throughout the match.
The Kraken have deployed two goaltenders this season, with Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer sharing the load. Daccord boasts a 2-0-2 record with a 2.83 goals-against average, while Grubauer, despite his strong performance in last year’s playoffs, has yet to secure a win this campaign, posting a 0-4-0 record with a 3.04 GAA. Center Matthew Beniers, the reigning Calder Trophy winner as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year, plays a pivotal role in the Kraken’s offensive strategy. Although he had an impressive rookie season with 24 goals and 33 assists last year, Beniers is yet to find the back of the net this season and has only registered three assists thus far. The Kraken also face injury concerns with forwards Brandon Tanev and Andre Burakovsky, who combined for 29 goals last season. On a positive note, defenseman Vince Dunn, who recorded a career-high 64 assists last season, continues to be a force on the blue line for Seattle. Dunn has accumulated seven points in eight games, including a team-leading six assists. Former Panthers forward Jared McCann, now playing for the Kraken, has scored three goals and offers offensive depth to the team.
Sam Bennett’s return to practice signifies a significant development for the Florida Panthers. As they prepare to face the struggling Seattle Kraken, the Panthers hope that Bennett’s comeback will provide a much-needed spark to their offensive prowess. With the continued presence of key players such as Sam Reinhart and the expected return of injured and ill players, the Panthers aim to dominate the ice and secure a victory against the determined Kraken team.
Leave a Reply