Panthers just made lineup changes minutes before Game 3 for offensive boost!

Earlier on Friday, Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice stated that forward Sam Bennett could be in tonight’s lineup for Game 3 of the second round series against the Boston Bruins.

During the warmups, minutes before puck drop at the TD Garden, forward Nick Cousins was seen leaving early with Bennett still on the ice for rushes.

It appears that Maurice has made the official decision to insert Bennett in the lineup over Cousins.

Bennett hasn’t played since Game 2 of Florida’s opening round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning due to an upper-body injury. Bennett missed the last three games of that series, and was also out of the lineup in Monday’s Game 1 loss.

It was a good 2023-24 season for Bennett, who recorded 20 goals and 21 assist over 69 games in his fourth campaign with the Panthers.

Last spring, he was was a key member of the Panthers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final, putting up five goals and adding 10 assists over 20 postseason games.

The best-of-seven second round series is tied at a game apiece.

Recommended articles:

• Brandon Montour's phone blown up after taunting Brad Marchand
• NHL sends serious warning to Bruins and Panthers hours before Game 3!
• Bruins adding physical reinforcement to lineup for Game 3
• Pat Maroon taunts Matthew Tkachuk ahead of Game 3 tonight!
• Matthew Tkachuk with stunning admission ahead of Game 3 in Boston!