Panthers’ Marchand to miss game against Bruins; Bennett set to return
Some roster updates for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.
When speaking to the media, Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice revealed that forward Brad Marchand will not be in the lineup on Wednesday night when the team takes on the Boston Bruins. However, forward Sam Bennett will return to play, while Anton Lundell is a game-time decision.
#TimeToHunt has announced their lineup decisions for tonight: ✔️ Sam Bennett (upper-body) will return. ⚠️ Anton Lundell (upper-body) will be a game-time decision. ❌ Brad Marchand (undisclosed) will not play.
Marchand out tonight for #FlaPanthers … Bennett back for sure, Lundell likely
Marchand has been out of action since suffering an undisclosed injury against the St. Louis Blues on Jan. 29. In the two contests he has missed, Florida’s struggles have continued, losing to both the Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres in regulation, extending the team’s losing skid to four games.
Despite the Halifax native missing time, he remains one of the team’s top scorers. In 45 appearances, Marchand has notched 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points, sitting second on the team in scoring behind Sam Reinhart.
Bennett’s status for Wednesday was questionable after he was forced to leave Monday night’s game against the Sabres with an upper-body injury. The reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner registered just 5:11 of ice time in the Panthers’ 5-3 loss to their Atlantic Division foes.
The Holland Landing, Ont. native’s injury wasn’t severe, which became clear when Hockey Canada announced that he would be replacing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli on the Canadian roster heading to the Winter Olympics.
In 55 games with the Cats this season, Bennett has potted 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points, tied for third on the team in points with Carter Verhaeghe.
Lundell hasn’t played for a week due to an upper-body injury that he suffered during last Tuesday’s game against the Utah Mammoth. In 52 games, the Finnish center has 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points.
The Panthers (28-24-3) are currently last in the Atlantic Division, nine points back of the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. They will face the Lightning in their final game before the Olympic break on Thursday.