Gustav Forsling’s OT winner lifts Panthers over Cup‑champion Hurricanes

In Raleigh, Gustav Forsling delivered a late overtime blast with 4.3 seconds on the clock Tuesday night, giving the Florida Panthers a 1-0 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes in the season opener for both clubs.

In a tightly played game dominated by structure and goaltending, it was a defenceman who finally broke through. With the clock winding under 10 seconds in overtime and a shootout looming, Carter Verhaeghe carried the puck into the offensive zone and dropped it back toward Forsling. The blue-liner stepped into a one-timer from near the blue line that beat Brandon Bussi on the glove side to end the contest.

Panthers spoil Hurricanes’ banner‑raising night

Forsling’s goal capped a night that began with celebration in Carolina. The Hurricanes raised their new championship banner after a dominant 16-3 playoff run that ended with a Cup-clinching win over Vegas in June. Players gathered along the blue line and tapped their sticks on the ice as the banner rose to the rafters, marking the franchise’s second title.

Florida arrived as a recent powerhouse in its own right. The Panthers have reached three straight Stanley Cup Finals, winning back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025 and twice eliminating the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final along the way. Last season’s bid was disrupted by injuries, but the opener marked an important step with captain Aleksander Barkov returning from a lengthy absence.

Markstrom shines in debut as special teams dominate flow

In goal, Jacob Markstrom handled his first regular-season start since being brought in to take over a crease previously anchored by Sergei Bobrovsky during Florida’s championship runs. Markstrom turned aside all 15 shots he faced to record the shutout. At the other end, Bussi, who authored a shutout in Carolina’s Cup-clinching game against Vegas, stopped 19 Panthers attempts before Forsling’s late winner.

Both netminders were tested in high-danger situations, including multiple one-on-one chances and a string of power plays. The teams combined for 13 man-advantage opportunities in regulation, but neither side could convert before overtime.

Beyond Forsling’s heroics, the game offered an early look at a retooled Panthers lineup that now includes Brady Tkachuk joining his brother Matthew after an off-season move. Florida now heads west to face the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, while Carolina stays home to host the Washington Capitals on Friday night as its title defence continues.