Sam Bennett May Return, Florida Panthers Tweak Lines v. Devils

FORT LAUDERDALE — Sam Bennett will be a game-time decision for the Florida Panthers when they play their second game of the week against the New Jersey Devils.

Bennett missed Tuesday’s loss to the Devils with an upper-body injury.

He did skate Thursday morning and coach Paul Maurice said if Bennett felt good after warmups tonight, he would be back centering the second line.

“He seems fine, seems ready to go,’’ Maurice said. “If he felt good today, it was our expectation is that he comes back. We won’t declare him playing until he gets through warmup and looks right.’’

With Bennett likely to return, Maurice shifted his top three forward lines.

Jesper Boqvist, who replaced Bennett at center on Tuesday, remains on that second line — only at left wing with Matthew Tkachuk on the right.

Carter Verhaeghe moves back with Sasha Barkov and Sam Reinhart; Evan Rodrigues moves to the right side of Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen. 

“You are always looking ahead to see what might work,’’ Maurice said. “I have been interested in seeing Jesper on the left side of that line for two or three weeks now. … We just haven’t had the chance to do it.’’

— The starting goalies will be Sergei Bobrovsky and Jake Allen. 

The Devils will not be making any other lineup changes.