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Defending Stanley Cup champion Florida is among the six teams in action as the 2025-26 NHL season is underway.
The Panthers-Blackhawks game is tied at 2-2 in the second period, with Penguins–Rangers and Avalanche–Kings coming later. Follow live as The Athletic’s NHL writers cover all the action tonight.
Schedule (Times ET):
Streaming: Fubo (Stream Free Now). Get in touch with us: live@theathletic.com
Frank Nazar is on pace for 246 points. Well, a lot more than that really, but I can't pro-rate off the top of my head.
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P2 18:01 – Blackhawks 2, Panthers 2
Right after Teuvo Teravainen scores, Brad Marchand takes a holding the stick penalty. It's Chicago's first powerplay of the game.
Chicago gets it done on the break again.
Teuvo Teravainen beats Sergei Bobrovsky with a perfectly placed shot down low.
P2 18:51 – Blackhawks 2, Panthers 2
That didn't take long to equalize the game! Teuvo Teravainen ties the game, beating Sergei Bobrovsky thanks to assists from Frank Nazar and Tyler Bertuzzi.
It's a whole new contest in Sunrise. Nice response from Chicago!
P2 20:00 – Panthers 2, Blackhawks 1
The second period is underway from Florida with the Panthers leading by a goal.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that the skyrocketing prices of elite talent around the league as the salary cap soars isn't of concern to the owners.
“I think people are a little not fully understanding what’s happening with the cap," Bettman said during the first intermission of the Panthers-Blackhawks opener. “Because the cap is in part growing the way it is because we’re still catching up from the flat-cap era. It’s going back to the level over the next couple of years where it’s supposed to be. The system works well, revenues are at an all-time high. We recaptured in, really, record time the Covid money that had been advanced. So from an economic standpoint, things are all good. Never better.”
As for Connor McDavid taking a significant discount on his two-year extension in Edmonton, Bettman said, “It tells you what a player’s prepared to do in terms of committing himself to his team and his community.”
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Bedard was 2-for-11 in faceoffs in the first period. Lundell was 5-for-5 against him.
Aside from Nazar's breakaway goal, that was a tough period for that second line. That was the line's only shot attempt of the period. Panthers had a 9-1 advantage in shot attempts and 5-1 in shots on goal with that line on the ice.
Below are some of your thoughts on the first period between the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks:
Shots:
Hits:
Total penalties:
Blocked shots:
Giveaways:
Knight was out of position and Verhaeghe capitalized, going top shelf to give Florida the lead.
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That was a heck of an entertaining first period of the season …
Panthers nearly score again late in the period, but it remains 2-1 after one.
Blackhawks trailing in score and 17-3 in shots on goal.
P1 0:00 – Panthers 2, Blackhawks 1
Through one period, the Florida Panthers are up a goal on the Chicago Blackhawks. Frank Nazar opened the scoring with a breakaway goal.
But an incredible response from the defending champs, thanks to goals from A.J. Greer and Carter Verhaeghe on the powerplay.
A fun start to the NHL’s opening night.
From my perspective, Nick Foligno won that fight.
Landed more punches and did so with force. A.J. Greer threw a couple weak counters but not much to show there for the Panthers first goalscorer.
P1 3:10 – Panthers 2, Blackhawks 1
Just felt like a matter of time before there was going to be a fight. Nick Foligno and A.J. Greer drop the gloves in the first fight for the 2025-26 season.
Both benches stick tap the players as they exit the ice with three minutes left in the frame.
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P1 4:13 – Panthers 2, Blackhawks 1
The chemistry between Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett is apparent early. Great pass from Marchand to find Bennett on the rush to the net.
But Spencer Knight pushes off his skate, squaring in position to deny Bennett's scoring chance.
Still a one-goal lead for the Panthers with under five to go in the first period.
Shots on goal are 15-3 Panthers with 4:43 left in the first period.
I'm not going to criticize lineup decisions on literal day 1, but ….
Verhaeghe should be on PP1 over Ekblad.