Hockey season begins as Panthers raise Stanley Cup banner
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Aaron Ekblad lifts the Stanley Cup during a ceremony before the Florida Panthers' home opener. Photo: Megan Briggs/Getty Images
The Florida Panthers opened up the 2025-26 NHL season by raising their second consecutive championship banner at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday night.
Why it matters: The Panthers, who beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Tuesday, hope to become the first team in over 40 years to win three consecutive Stanley Cups.
Yes, but: The Panthers will likely be without captain Aleksander Barkov for the entire regular season — and potentially the playoffs — as he recovers from major knee surgery.
- Left winger Matthew Tkachuk will miss the start of the regular season and might not return until December after undergoing adductor muscle surgery.
By the numbers: The defending champs have just the sixth-best odds to win the Stanley Cup this year.
What they're saying: Panthers fan Daniel Morley wore a hockey puck foam hat, oversized Stanley Cup chain and a toy rat on his left shoulder as he walked into Amerant Bank Arena before the game.
- The Delray Beach resident told Axios that Florida's injuries may limit their regular season success, but he still believes they will make the playoffs.
Flashback: He recalled how in 2023, the Panthers narrowly made the playoffs as the No. 8 seed and still made it to the Stanley Cup Final (They lost the series).
- "I think this team has shown no matter where they finish in the regular season, as long as they get to the playoffs, they can go on a run," Morley said.
What's next: Florida hosts the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday at 7pm.
- Tickets are as low as $23.