The Florida Panthers are 4-4 at the start of the 2026-26 season.
The first week looked promising, with three home wins and Sergei Bobrovsky being named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week.
Then came a five-game road trip and some tough news. Dmitry Kulikov was announced to be out for five months following shoulder surgery. Goalie Daniil Tarasov didn’t win either of his two starts but looked solid in net. The trip through Philadelphia, Detroit, New Jersey, and Buffalo was anything but pleasant for the Cats, who lost all four games and struggled to score. They allowed 15 goals while scoring just four, twice against the Flyers (5-2), once against the Red Wings (4-1), and once against the Devils (3-1).
On Oct. 18, the Panthers faced the Buffalo Sabres in an early 1:00 p.m. matchup. Whether it was the unusual start time or the colder weather, the Panthers couldn’t find their rhythm. They outshot the Sabres (32), blocked 20 shots, and delivered 29 hits, but lost control of the game after taking a series of penalties in the second period. Hooking, holding, interference, roughing – it was like reading from a hockey rulebook. Things boiled over when Brad Marchand lost his composure and tore apart Rasmus Dahlin’s helmet after being checked from behind by the Buffalo defenseman. Marchand chased Dahlin down, jumped on him, and threw punches. On his way to the penalty box, he snapped Dahlin’s helmet and tossed it back onto the ice. On Monday, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety fined Marchand $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
After four straight losses, the Panthers finally showed more determination and speed in Boston. It was a special game for Marchand, who spent nearly 16 seasons in a Bruins uniform. The 37-year-old former captain teared up during a video tribute at TD Garden. Boston will always be in his heart—but Florida is now on his mind. Marchand tallied two assists, helping the Panthers earn a 4-3 road win. The visitors led 2-0 after two periods but had to fight back after allowing two quick goals in the first five minutes of the third. Scoring came from unexpected places in the bottom six, Samoskevich and Greer, while Bennett and Reinhart stayed busy with the physical play. Luostarinen’s goal made it 3-2.
Things got tense in the final minutes as Boston tied it again (3-3) at 58:29. As coaches like to say, a hockey game lasts 60 minutes, and the Panthers stayed locked in. At 59:34, Carter Verhaeghe scored his second goal of the season thanks to a fortunate rebound off a Bruins defender’s skate. Goals don’t have to be pretty; they just have to count. And this one did, sealing Florida’s first road win of the year.
The back-to-back Stanley Cup champions will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. With four straight home games ahead before hitting the road again on Nov. 3, Florida hockey is officially back.