NHL Buzz: Bennett to compose Panthers debut against Lightning

Florida Panthers

Sam Bennett will compose his Panthers debut when they discuss over with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+, BSSUN, BSSUN+, NHL.TV).

The forward used to be bought in a replace with the Calgary Flames on Monday for forward prospect Emil Heineman and a 2d-round fetch in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Bennett, who will skate on a line with Jonathan Huberdeau and Anthony Duclair, has scored 12 facets (four targets, eight assists) in 38 games this season.

Florida (27-12-5) is third in the eight-personnel Survey Central Division, one point at the lend a hand of the Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes. The head four groups will qualify for the playoffs.

Nashville Predators

Matt Duchene will return to the lineup against the Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET; BSSO, NHL.TV).

The forward neglected 22 games with a lower-physique injury. He has scored eight facets (three targets, five assists) in 23 games.

“It’s play rapidly, tenacious, he’s bought to skate on the forecheck, he’s bought to make a decision puck battles, he’s bought to reload and video display above pucks if there is an absence of possession in the offensive zone,” coach John Hynes mentioned Saturday. “In case you are known as upon to shield, there is dedication to ingredient for your sport. That’s what we’re procuring for him to attain.”

Nashville, which used to be 10-13-0 when Duchene bought injured, has gone 14-7-1 without him.

“The personnel is having fun with differently than when Matt used to be having fun with when he bought wound,” Hynes mentioned. “There might be a determined level of dedication to the manner we want to play, notably with our forward neighborhood.”

Nashville (24-20-1) is fourth in the eight-personnel Survey Central Division, four facets sooner than the Chicago Blackhawks. The head four groups will qualify for the playoffs. — Kurt Dusterberg

Montreal Canadiens

Carey Stamp returned to the lineup against the Ottawa Senators.

The goalie took segment in the morning skate but did no longer dress for a 2-1 decide against the Calgary Flames on Friday. He practiced the previous two days for the main time since disturbing a lower-physique injury April 5.

“Slump, Carey is lend a hand this day,” Canadiens coach Dominique Ducharme mentioned Saturday. “He’s a truly mighty player for us. [Goalie Jake Allen] did some if truth be told moral work while he used to be out, but to beget the 2 who can play, we’re overjoyed to secret agent him again.”

Stamp used to be 12-6-5 in 23 begins this season with a 2.66 targets-against moderate and .903 keep share.

Allen began every of the previous six games for Montreal (19-13-9), which used to be fourth in the seven-personnel Scotia North Division, six facets sooner than Calgary. The head four groups will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Ducharme mentioned forward Brendan Gallagher, who’s out indefinitely with a broken thumb, will no longer need surgical treatment.

“So that is moral news,” Ducharme mentioned. “He’s doing moral. Clearly he needs time, but no surgical treatment, in disclose that is evident.” — Sean Farrell

Philadelphia Flyers

Carter Hart did no longer play in a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday due to of a lower-physique injury.

Alex Lyon made 35 saves in his first originate up of the season. Lyon had performed one sport this season, making nine saves on 10 shots in 24: 08 of relief in a 6-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on March 31.

Philadelphia used to be also without forwards Nolan Patrick (undisclosed) and Tanner Laczynski (lower physique). Patrick left in the third length of a 2-1 shootout decide against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday after getting hit in the head by a shot.

The Flyers (20-18-6) are sixth in the eight-personnel MassMutual East Division, eight facets at the lend a hand of the fourth-space Boston Bruins. The head four groups will qualify for the playoffs. — Adam Kimelman