SAM BENNETT NEWS

Snaps slump with helper Bennett logged an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and two PIM in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins.

Impact Bennett set up Sam Reinhart for the game-tying goal, a buzzer-beater in the third period. The helper was Bennett's first point since Dec. 16 -- he went nine games without getting on the scoresheet after missing one contest due to an illness. Even with the slump, Bennett has 28 points, 115 shots on net, 90 hits, 53 PIM and a minus-15 rating over 41 appearances. He was on a career-best pace and should still be able to achieve his first 50-point campaign if he can get his offense back on track.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Bennett fined $5,000 for actions in Panthers game | NHL.com Forward disciplined for roughing against Penguins forward O’Connor

JANUARY 4 • NHL.COM

Reinhart, Lundell score in shootout, Panthers beat Penguins 3-2

Sam Reinhart and Anton Lundell scored in the shootout, and the Florida Panthers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Friday night

JANUARY 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Set to play Friday Bennett (illness) is expected to play in Friday's game versus the Blues, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Bennett missed one game due to the illness. He warmed up on the third line, so it's possible his minutes are managed during the contest, but he should still see power-play time. Bennett is tracking toward a career year with 13 goals and 27 points over 31 appearances this season.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Considered game-time decision Bennett (illness) is considered a game-time decision for Friday's game against the Blues, Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Impact Bennett missed Wednesday's game against the Wild due to an illness, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to suit up Friday. If he's unavailable, Adam Boqvist will likely move up from the blue line since Jesper Boqvist (upper body) will be sidelined.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Matthew Tkachuk's 2 goals lead Panthers past Wild 6-1

Matthew Tkachuk scored twice, Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves and the Florida Panthers beat the Minnesota Wild 6-1 on Wednesday night

DECEMBER 19, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Out Wednesday Bennett will miss Wednesday's tilt against Minnesota because of an illness, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.

Impact Bennett has 13 goals, 27 points, 39 PIM and 71 hits in 31 appearances in 2024-25. Aleksander Barkov (illness) is also questionable, so the Panthers might need to call up reinforcements from AHL Charlotte.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Lankinen stops 27 shots for 3rd shutout of season as Canucks beat Panthers 4-0

Carson Soucy and Danton Heinen scored in the first period, Kevin Lankinen stopped 27 shots for his third shutout of the season, and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Florida Panthers...

DECEMBER 13, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Riding seven-game point streak Bennett notched an assist, four shots on goal and nine PIM in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Sharks.

Impact Bennett set up Matthew Tkachuk's goal just 23 seconds into the game. The helper moved Bennett's point streak to seven games (four goals, four assists). He also fought Mario Ferraro in the third period. Bennett continues to bring an excellent mix of offense and grit on the Panthers' second line. He's contributed 13 goals, 13 helpers, six power-play points, 82 shots on net, 61 hits, 39 PIM and a minus-3 rating over 27 contests.

DECEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sparks third-period comeback Bennett scored a goal on three shots in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Penguins.

Impact Bennett had the first of three goals in a span of 4:32 for the Panthers in the middle of the third period. That was enough to help them salvage a standings point. This was Bennett's fourth straight game with a goal and fifth in a row with a point. He's up to 13 tallies, 11 helpers, 77 shots on net, 53 hits, 28 PIM and a minus-5 rating while filling the second-line center role in a strong offense.

DECEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rust's OT winner helps Penguins avoid another late collapse in 5-4 win over Florida

Bryan Rust scored 1:31 into overtime and the Pittsburgh Penguins avoided another late collapse by beating the Florida Panthers 5-4 in overtime

DECEMBER 4, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Goals in three straight games Bennett scored a goal Saturday in a 6-0 win over Carolina.

Impact Bennett has put up a goal in three consecutive games, and he has points in four straight (three goals, two assists). He also has 14 shots on the streak. Bennett has put up 40 points or more in each of the last three seasons, but he's on an even greater pace at this point in 2024-25. His 12 goals, 11 assists and 74 shots in 24 games put Bennett on pace for 78 points and 252 shots, both of which would be career bests. That's a big stretch for a 28-year-old whose best totals came in 2021-22 (28 goals, 49 points, 241 shots), but never say never. Ride the Bennett wave for now until his pace slows.

DECEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Knight stops 20 shots, Florida rolls past Carolina 6-0 for 2nd win over 'Canes in as many days

Spencer Knight made 20 saves, Mackie Samoskevich scored with less than a second left in the second period, and the Florida Panthers got four goals in the third to beat the Carolina...

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hurricanes visit the Panthers in Eastern Conference action

The Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes hit the ice in Eastern Conference play

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fills empty cage Bennett scored an empty-net goal on six shots, added two hits and went plus-2 in Friday's 6-3 win over the Hurricanes.

Impact Bennett has scored in back-to-back games and has two goals and five assists over his last eight outings. The 28-year-old center continues to look hungry in his contract year. He's up to 11 goals, 11 helpers, 70 shots on net, 50 hits, 26 PIM and a minus-6 rating over 23 appearances. So far, that's been a fantasy goldmine, but his 15.7 shooting percentage is likely to dip -- if not drop outright -- over time.

NOVEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Greer, Lundell help Panthers beat back Hurricanes 6-3

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NOVEMBER 29, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Goal, assist in win Bennett delivered his 10th goal of the season and added an assist in Wednesday's 5-1 win over Toronto.

Impact Bennett had a pair of points in the third period to help Florida snap a four-game losing streak. The Ontario native has been very consistent this season, as he's only been held off the scoresheet on five occasions through 22 games. Bennett is poised for a career year in his 11th NHL season -- he's currently just under a point-per-game pace, and he's never topped 49 points as a professional. If he can stay healthy, the left-shot center should pass that number with ease given his top-six role and spot on the man advantage. Bennett is up to 10 goals and 11 assists, and he's tied for second on the team in scoring with Aleksander Barkov, though the latter has played seven less games.

NOVEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers get 2nd win in last 8 games, roll past Maple Leafs 5-1

Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe had power-play goals, Sam Reinhart had a short-handed score and the Florida Panthers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 for only their second w...

NOVEMBER 28, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dishes helper Bennett tallied an assist, two shots and a minus-2 rating during Monday's 4-1 loss to the Capitals.

Impact Bennett gets back on the scoresheet after being blanked in his previous two outings. The 28-year-old has notched an impressive nine goals and 10 points in 21 games and is on track to smash his previous career-high of 49 points in 71 games set during the 2021-22 season.

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Deals assist in return Bennett notched an assist, two shots on goal and three hits in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Devils.

Impact Bennett missed Tuesday's game against the Devils due to an injury concern that tightened up on him prior to the contest. It's unclear if this issue will be an ongoing one or if he's fully moved past it. The 28-year-old has been one of the Panthers' most important forwards in 2024-25, racking up nine goals, seven assists, 49 shots on net, 35 hits, 16 PIM and a minus-1 rating over 16 contests. Bennett should be locked in as the second-line center when he's available.

NOVEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Devils get 3 power play scores, top Panthers 6-2 to finish sweep of Cup champs

Jesper Bratt got his second career hat trick, Stefan Noesen scored twice and the New Jersey Devils beat the Florida Panthers 6-2 on Thursday night to sweep a two-game series with t...

NOVEMBER 15, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Good to return Thursday Bennett (upper body) is set to play Thursday against New Jersey, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Impact Bennett missed Tuesday's 4-1 loss to New Jersey. Before that absence, he was red hot, recording six goals and 10 points across his past nine appearances. Bennett is projected to play alongside Jesper Boqvist and Matthew Tkachuk in his return.

NOVEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Considered game-time decision Bennett (upper body) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's matchup against the Devils, Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post reports.

Impact Bennett was unavailable for Tuesday's game against New Jersey due to an upper-body injury, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to suit up in Thursday's rematch. If he's unavailable Thursday, Jesper Boqvist is a candidate to remain in a top-six role.

NOVEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Thursday Bennett (upper body) is improving but remains in doubt ahead of Thursday's clash with New Jersey, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Head coach Paul Maurice told reporters they would have to see how Bennett is feeling at Thursday's game-day skate, so don't be surprised to see the winger labeled a game-time decision prior to puck drop. Through 15 games this season, the 28-year-old Ontario native is converting at a point-per-game pace, registering nine goals and six helpers, including four power-play points. If Bennett can't play Thursday, look for Jesper Boqvist to remain in a top-six role.

NOVEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

New Jersey beats Florida 4-1 to snap Panthers' 7-game winning streak

Timo Meier scored the go-ahead goal late in the second period, Jacob Markstrom made 34 saves and the New Jersey Devils snapped Florida’s seven-game winning streak by beating the Pa...

NOVEMBER 13, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS