It was more than just a hockey game – it was the Panthers making a statement right out of the gate. Opening night at Amerant Bank Arena wasn’t simply about a puck drop, it was about raising a championship banner, reliving glory one final time, and then turning the page to chase yet another Stanley Cup.
On Tuesday, the Florida Panthers began their quest for a third straight championship defense with a nail-biting 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. The atmosphere was electric and tinged with history – a mix of celebration and determination.
Jesper Boqvist delivered the decisive blow in the third period, breaking a 2-2 tie after some crafty setup work from Mackie Samoskevich, who notched two assists. A.J. Greer and Carter Verhaeghe also found the back of the net, while Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside 17 shots. "That’s what we wanted," Boqvist said with a grin. "Get those two points – and what a night, raising the banner and all that."
Chicago wasn’t just a bystander. Led by Frank Nazar and Teuvo Teravainen, each with a goal and assist, and backed by Tyler Bertuzzi’s two assists, the Blackhawks came to spoil the party. New head coach Jeff Blashill acknowledged the growing pains. "We’re going to have ups and downs," Blashill noted. "We have to make sure those downs aren’t too deep, taking away easy chances because good teams will create plenty on their own."
The game came with a uniquely emotional subplot: Spencer Knight, once Florida’s promising goalie, now guarding Chicago’s net after being dealt for defenseman Seth Jones earlier this year, faced his former teammates for the first time. Despite the loss, Knight stood tall with 34 saves. "We knew it would be tough," Knight admitted. "It was interesting being on the other side here – but it was fun."
The pre-game ceremony was drenched in symbolism. Aaron Ekblad carried the Stanley Cup from the tunnel, placing it near where the brand-new banner would soon hang for decades to come. Brad Marchand called it a moment to take in before shifting focus: "The second that puck drops, it’s a whole new season, new challenges. Watching it go up is special, but you’re immediately thinking about the next one."
And that shift was immediate. Florida dominated early, outshooting Chicago 17-3 in the opening period. But hockey loves its surprises; Nazar struck first at 10:03, taking advantage of a neutral zone turnover and beating Bobrovsky glove-side on a breakaway. The Panthers answered in less than a minute when Greer capitalized on a loose puck. Verhaeghe made it 2-1 on a power play, roofing his shot over Knight from a tight angle.
Chicago wasn’t done. They tied it early in the second on a slick 2-on-1, Nazar feeding Teravainen for the finish. The decisive third-period goal from Boqvist showcased awareness and quick reflexes: Samoskevich chased down an intentional dump from Evan Rodrigues, swatting it to Boqvist, who knocked it in mid-air past Knight.
Coach Paul Maurice praised his squad’s resilience given a light preseason workload. Statistically, Florida continued to flex its dominance at home, improving to 12-0-2 in season openers and extending their home win streak over Chicago to nine games – a record tied for their longest against any team. And Nazar, only 21, joined elite company as one of just six young Blackhawks in 40 years to record multiple points in a season opener.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Can Florida keep up this level of hunger now that the banner is up and the ceremony dust has settled? Will Chicago’s youthful spark under Blashill evolve fast enough to challenge the league’s elite?
What do you think – are the Panthers still the undisputed force in hockey, or is there a crack forming in the armor? Drop your thoughts below.
