Sam Bennett is a pending free agent, but there is speculation that he will re-sign with the Florida Panthers, making it difficult for the Avalanche to find adequate replacements for Mikko Rantanen if he departs.

Sam Bennett missed last night's game due to an illness.

Sam Bennett missed the game due to an illness, impacting Florida's lineup as they sought to capitalize on Aleksander Barkov's return to the ice.

Sam Bennett struggled to make an impact in the previous matchup against Minnesota, spending significant time in the penalty box and failing to contribute offensively. His performance was overshadowed by the Wild's strong defense and goaltending, which limited the Panthers' scoring opportunities.

Sam Bennett had a key moment in the game when he was stopped on a breakaway in the third period, which allowed Calgary to maintain momentum and ultimately score shortly after. His missed opportunity highlighted the pressure on players to capitalize in critical situations.