Sam Bennett, a key center for the Florida Panthers, was forced to leave Tuesday’s playoff game against the Lightning in the second period after he was hit by a shot from teammate Brandon Montour. Bennett, who had scored Florida’s first goal and assisted on the second, immediately dropped his stick and skated off the ice after the puck struck him in the hand or wrist. He did not return to the bench for the start of the third period.
Bennett had been instrumental in Florida’s strong start, scoring the opening goal on a backhand rebound from a shot by Matthew Tkachuk, which he had set up himself. Later in the first period, Bennett was positioned in front of Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy and fed Vladimir Tarasenko for a power-play goal.
The Lightning responded with an early goal in the second period and tied the game at 2 with a power-play goal from Steven Stamkos.
Bennett’s injury is a significant setback for the Panthers, who are looking to build on their 3-2 victory in Game 1. The series now shifts to Tampa Bay for Game 3 on Thursday.
