The Florida Panthers, back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, raised their second championship banner and opened the 2025-26 NHL season with a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on October 7, 2025, signaling the start of their quest for a historic three-peat.
In a festive pregame ceremony, defenseman Aaron Ekblad carried the Stanley Cup onto the ice, as the team and fans reflected on last season’s triumph. The banner, identical to the previous year’s except for the updated year, was hoisted amid cheers from the capacity crowd, many of whom had gathered hours early to witness the event. Players raised their sticks in a salute, and the fans responded with chants of “We want three,” underscoring the high expectations for the season ahead.
The game itself was a hard-fought contest, with the Panthers dominating early play and outshooting the Blackhawks 17-5 in the first period. Despite strong goaltending from Chicago’s Spencer Knight, who made 34 saves, Florida’s persistent offense paid off. Jesper Boqvist, one of the team’s offseason acquisitions, scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, batting a puck out of mid-air to secure the win, while A.J. Greer also found the net in his Panthers debut.
Key players emphasized the need to move forward from the celebrations. “This is a new year and it’s a new opportunity for us,” said forward Brad Marchand, acquired from Boston earlier in the year. “When it starts, it’s time to turn the page and start working toward a chance to hopefully do it again.” Similarly, Anton Lundell noted that the achievement fuels their hunger for more success, highlighting the team’s focused mentality.
However, the Panthers face significant challenges, with captain Aleksander Barkov expected to miss most of the season due to knee surgery and star forward Matthew Tkachuk sidelined until at least December. Both watched from the bench in street clothes, a reminder of the obstacles ahead. Coach Paul Maurice acknowledged the injuries but expressed confidence in the team’s depth and resilience.
The depth was on full display, with newcomers like Boqvist and Greer stepping up. Maurice praised their contributions, noting that the team will rely on various players to fill the scoring void. “We had Boqvist and Greer score, and we’re going to need other people to fill in for some goals,” he said, emphasizing the importance of a collective effort throughout the grueling 82-game season.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, attending the game, highlighted the narrative of resilience. “This is going to be an interesting story,” he said. “Two of the biggest stars on the team are injured. How well they come back, how resilient the team is without them, that’s going to be a great story to see unfold.” He credited general manager Bill Zito for building a well-structured team capable of contending despite setbacks.
As the celebration concluded, the Panthers immediately shifted focus to the long road ahead. Marchand encapsulated the team’s attitude: “It’s a long road to get there, and we can’t look ahead and start thinking about three. It’s about building what we have to make sure every time we step on the ice, we’re going to give ourselves a chance to win.” With a hard-work mentality and depth across the roster, Florida aims to defy odds and chase history in the coming months.
