The Florida Panthers opened the 2026-27 campaign with a huge win. Florida took on the Carolina Hurricanes, who raised their Stanley Cup banner on Tuesday night. But Carolina was unable to end the night with a victory, thanks to Gustav Forsling.

Forsling scored the only goal of the game. He did this with mere seconds remaining in the overtime period. Florida claimed a 1-0 win in an intense battle. It was a game that Forsling couldn't contain his excitement about afterward.

“Playoff style hockey. That felt like a playoff game to me. It was awesome. Really fun,” Forsling said, via Panthers reporter Jameson Olive.

Offense was not easy to come by in this game. The Panthers and Hurricanes combined for 35 shots on goal through four periods of play on Tuesday. The Panthers finished the contest with 20 shots, while Carolina had 15.

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Both teams had their chances to find the back of the net, as well. The two teams combined for 13 power plays, with the Panthers having a slight majority. Neither team played their most disciplined game to begin the 2026-27 season, to say the least.

The Panthers and Hurricanes have been two of the most successful teams of the 2020s. Florida won the Stanley Cup in 2024 and 2025 as part of three straight appearances in the Final. Back in June, the Hurricanes won the Cup over the Vegas Golden Knights.

It was quite the matchup to begin the new season. Both teams figure to be major players in the race for the Stanley Cup this year. The Panthers won the first matchup, but there remains a ton of hockey to be played. Florida goes for its second win in a row on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks.