Sam Bennett‘s return to the Florida Panthers‘ lineup took an unfortunate turn on Monday.
In his first game back from a lower-body injury he suffered in one of the Panthers’ final pre-season games, the gritty forward exited Monday’s game against the Boston Bruins with another lower-body injury, the team announced.
Bennett left the contest after Bruins defenceman Hampus Lindholm fell awkwardly on his left leg. He had to be helped off the ice and immediately headed to the team’s locker room. He played 7:54 before he was forced to leave.
The 27-year-old forward had 16 goals and 24 assists in 63 games for the Panthers last season. He was also excellent in the Panthers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final, scoring five goals and dishing out 10 assists in 20 playoff games.
Bennett was selected by the Calgary Flames fourth overall in the 2014 NHL Draft before being dealt to the Panthers during the 2020-21 season.