Panthers Blow By Hurricanes

     The Florida Panthers beat the reigning Stanley Cup champions the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 at Amerant Bank Arena on Sunday night. Panthers captain and center Aleksander Barkov played in his first game since the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. 

     New Florida center Brady Tkachuk was in a Panthers uniform for the first time and contributed two goals along with an assist for three points. Panthers goalie Jacob Markstrom began his second stint with the Cats. 

     The Hurricanes and the Panthers have captured the Stanley Cup title in the past three seasons. They have combined to win the last four Eastern Conference championships. 

     Both teams participated in their first preseason game under a new league deal. The new collective bargaining agreement, which was agreed to and ratified prior to the upcoming 2026-27 NHL campaign, requires all 32 National Hockey League teams to play a maximum of four preseason games this season.