Although Brad Marchand wasn’t expected to return to the Florida Panthers lineup until later in October, the two-time Stanley Cup champion ended up missing just two regular-season games.

The 38-year-old made his 2026-27 debut Sunday night, scoring the tying goal late in regulation in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center.

“Obviously, (the injury) progressed a little faster than expected,” Marchand told reporters afterwards, per NHL.com.

“It was a bit of a rude awakening. The speed of the game and the intensity definitely ramped up at times, but it was great to be back out there. It's going to take some time to get the timing and everything back, and conditioning back, but it was incredible being back out there and being part of the team again.”

Marchand, who played on the top line with Sam Reinhart and Brady Tkachuk, scored with 1:50 remaining in the third period to tie the game at two and force overtime.

BRAD MARCHAND TIES THE GAME IN HIS FIRST GAME BACK! 😸 pic.twitter.com/GfLt3TJxfV

— NHL (@NHL) October 5, 2026

He finished with 13:10 of ice time and three shots on goal.

“We just have an incredible group,” the Halifax, Nova Scotia, native added. “The feeling off the ice with the personalities we have in the room — we've been together a week and it's been an absolute blast already — so we're really looking forward to a great year together. Not just on the ice, but off the ice and building relationships and friendships.

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“Hopefully that translates on the ice as well. There's been some ups and downs already so far this year, but it's what's expected in this league and what we're going to have to go through, but we will and it will make us stronger.”

Last season, Marchand recorded 27 goals and 54 points in just 52 games but missed significant time with a lower-body injury. He last played on March 6.

He’s no stranger to going under the knife, requiring surgery to repair a sports hernia in the 2024 offseason and undergoing hip surgery following the 2021-22 campaign.

His return gives Florida a much-needed boost with captain Aleksander Barkov on long-term injured reserve. Barkov was injured during Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks, leaving the Panthers without a critical piece of their forward group.

The Panthers, now 1-0-2, are back in action against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday for the finale of a season-opening four-game road trip.

Florida plays its home opener at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday against the visiting Minnesota Wild.