The Florida Panthers have announced that forward Sam Bennett will be out at least one week with a hand injury suffered in the second period during Tuesday’s game vs Tampa Bay Lightning after being hit in the hand by a shot from the point from teammate Brandon Montour. Prior to leaving the game, the 27-year-old forward had a goal and an assist in under eight minutes of ice time. This is a big loss for a Panthers team that had Bennett as their second-line center and was already without Ryan Lomberg, however, Lomberg is a possibility for Game 3. Florida heads into tomorrow’s game 3 with a 2-0 series lead.
The Panthers have a couple of options to replace Bennett, and one of the better options is Kyle Okposo. Florida acquired the former Buffalo Sabres at the deadline. In 67 games this season, Okposo scored 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points, all coming with the Buffalo Sabres. The 36-year-old forward has 44 goals and 95 assists for 139 points in 187 Stanley Cup Playoff Games. Okposo will be a UFA at the end of the season.
Florida’s other healthy forward is Jonah Gadjovich, who’s played in 39 games with the Panthers, putting up two goals and two assists for four points. He also spent three games in the AHL with the Charlotte Checks, where he would put up a goal. The Ontario native doesn’t have any Stanley Cup Playoffs experience. Gadjovich signed a two-year extension with Florida at $775,000 per year. He had signed a one-year deal with the team back in October.
ITR 31: Let Them Fight – Inside The Rink
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