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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 lead the Blackhawks 2-1 on a Carter Verhaeghe goal, 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
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Knight was out of position and Verhaeghe capitalized, going top shelf to give Florida the lead.
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.
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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.
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.
There were two Blackhawks in the area but Mackie Samoskevich was able to quickly flick a pass to Carter Verhaeghe, who turns and fires past Knight.
Chicago's goalkeeper was out of position after attacking the puck moments earlier and never settled back into position.
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P1 5:52 – Panthers 2, Blackhawks 1
Well, that deficit didn't last long. Carter Verhaeghe beats Spencer Knight on the short side, taking advantage of the Blackhawks goalie losing his footing.
The defending champs take their first lead tonight almost five minutes to go in the period. Two goals in the last 1:42 seconds for Florida!
P1 7:34 – Blackhawks 1, Panthers 1
It's a second penalty tonight for Artyom Levshunov, as he trips pesky Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand.
Florida is off to the powerplay for the second time tonight. They didn't score on the first chance, but threatened with a couple of scoring chances that Spencer Knight denied.
A.J. Greer was lurking near the net during that sequence and when the puck found him, he was ready.
Florida answers back immediately.
P1 8:46 – Blackhawks 1, Panthers 1
An incredible poke wrist shot from A.J. Greer as the puck bounces off Spencer Knight and into the net. Jonah Gadjovich and Gustav Forsling are credited with the assists.
A big response from Florida, almost a minute after giving up the Frank Nazar goal. We're all tied in Sunrise, Florida!
What a sequence for Chicago …
Great vision from Spencer Knight behind the net and a great effort play by Tyler Bertuzzi, lunging in on that 50-50 puck that deflects forward, setting up the breakaway for Frank Nazar.
He got a one-on-one as a result and beat Sergei Bobrovsky with a tidy shot.
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P1 9:57 – Blackhawks 1, Panthers 0
The Chicago Blackhawks open the scoring in the first game of the season. A great play from Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight to see Frank Nazar up the ice.
Nazar, on the breakway, fires the puck past Sergei Bobrovsky for the goal. Big start for the forward, who signed a seven-year contract extension worth $46.13 million during the offseason.
P1 10:50 – Blackhawks 0, Panthers 0
Big penalty kill for the Chicago Blackhawks. Spencer Knight makes a couple of brilliant saves, showing his lateral movement and staying in the butterfly position to prevent Florida from scoring.
It's still a scoreless game almost halfway through the period!
Artyom Levshunov with the season's first penalty – slashing.