Panthers Edge Reigning Champion Hurricanes 1-0 in Overtime on Forsling’s Late Winner

Florida Starts Season With Dramatic Overtime Victory

The Florida Panthers opened the NHL season with a statement victory, as Gustav Forsling scored with 4.3 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Panthers past the reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes 1-0 on Tuesday night. On a night when defense and goaltending dominated the matchup, it was a defenseman who delivered the deciding play between the last two teams to win the Stanley Cup.

With the game seemingly headed for a shootout, Carter Verhaeghe carried the puck into the offensive zone with fewer than 10 seconds remaining. Verhaeghe sent the puck back toward Forsling, who hammered a one-timer from near the blue line that zipped past Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi on the glove side. The goal sent the Panthers to a dramatic season-opening victory and spoiled what had been a celebratory night for Carolina.

Hurricanes Raise Stanley Cup Banner

The loss came at the end of a three-month celebration for the Hurricanes, who captured the franchise’s second Stanley Cup in June after going 16-3 during their postseason run and defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in the Final.

Before Tuesday’s game, the Hurricanes gathered along the blue line and tapped their sticks as the championship banner was raised to the rafters, officially marking their first home game since winning the Cup.

The ceremony came against the Panthers, who have reached the Stanley Cup Final in three consecutive seasons and won championships in 2024 and 2025. Florida eliminated Carolina in the Eastern Conference Final in each of those championship runs before injuries derailed the Panthers’ title defense last season.

Markstrom, Panthers Defense Shine

Florida entered the new season with several reasons for optimism, beginning with the return of captain Aleksander Barkov from a lengthy injury absence. The Panthers also added another member of the Tkachuk family during the offseason, with Matthew Tkachuk now joined by his brother Brady in Florida. The Panthers also made a significant change in net, bringing in Jacob Markstrom to take over the crease after Sergei Bobrovsky anchored the team’s Stanley Cup runs.

Markstrom and Bussi were the difference-makers for most of Tuesday’s game, with both goaltenders coming up with big saves in a scoreless defensive battle. The teams combined for 13 power-play opportunities during regulation and each had quality scoring chances, including several dangerous one-on-one opportunities. Markstrom finished with 15 saves for the shutout, while Bussi stopped 19 shots before Forsling’s overtime winner ended his shutout bid.

Panthers Begin Western Road Trip

The Panthers will now head west for their next game, visiting the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. Carolina will return home Friday night to host the Washington Capitals.