The wait is over.
After making the most of their long offseason, the Florida Panthers will finally return to action this week as the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup champions begin the quest to reclaim their crown.
"Make playoffs,” forward Matthew Tkachuk said of the team’s mindset as they prepare to embark on another long season. “You can't look too far ahead. You have to have a good start. ... We've just talked about that you worry about just making playoffs and that's your only goal. That's what we build our game for each year."
Facing a tough test right off the bat, the Panthers will begin their season with a battle on the road against the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center on Tuesday.
After that, the Panthers will head out West and close out their opening week with tough matchups against the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks on Thursday and Sunday, respectively.
“It's a known opponent for us,” head coach Paul Maurice said when asked about the benefits of opening the season with a true heavyweight matchup in Raleigh. “To be playing an Eastern Conference team, that helps you. To be playing a former playoff opponent, that helps you. They just won the Stanley Cup, and they're going to get their banner raised, and rightfully so in their building. It brings you back to a reminder of that juice.”
THE GAMES
Tuesday, Sept. 29: at Carolina Hurricanes – 5 p.m. ET
- TV & Streaming: National Broadcast
- Radio: 104.3 WQAM-FM / 560 WQAM-AM (Dade/Broward); TBD (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH-FM (Florida Keys); 101.7 WCZR-FM (Treasure Coast); Panthers GameDay App; SiriusXM App & Streaming 931
- Watch Party: Funky Buddha Brewery
Thursday, Oct. 1 at San Jose Sharks – 10 p.m. ET
- TV & Streaming: How to Watch
- Radio: 104.3 WQAM-FM / 560 WQAM-AM (Dade/Broward); TBD (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH-FM (Florida Keys); 101.7 WCZR-FM (Treasure Coast); Panthers GameDay App; SiriusXM App & Streaming 931
- Find a Place to Watch: Cats on Tap
Sunday, Oct. 3 at Anaheim Ducks – 8 p.m. ET
- TV & Streaming: How to Watch
- Radio: 560 WQAM-AM (Dade/Broward); TBD (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH-FM (Florida Keys); Panthers GameDay App; SiriusXM App & Streaming 931
- Find a Place to Watch: Cats on Tap
WATCH PARTY
You don’t have to wait for the Cats to come home to start partying.
Kicking off the season in style, the Panthers will hold their first official watch party of the season on Tuesday at Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park.
With the party starting 30 minutes before the Panthers drop the puck against the Hurricanes, fans can enjoy a special environment and offerings.
For more information on where to watch with fellow Cats fans, click HERE.
TEAM BONDING
The road will present plenty of time for team bonding.
Brady Tkachuk, Garnet Hathaway, Lars Eller, Boko Imama and Akira Schmid are all preparing for their first season with the Panthers, while Radko Gudas and Jacob Markstrom are set to kick off their second stint after returning to South Florida.
So far, everyone has fit in perfectly.
“I honestly feel like, even with these new guys, it feels like we've been together for a long time,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said of the team’s multiple additions. “I think it's a great spot to come in, and they blend in really well. Starting on the, on the road, you get to know them a little more.”
Playing a road-style even at home, this first trip will help set the team’s standard moving forward.
“We’re a team that has performed well on the road,” Maurice said. “We have some confidence there. Great for these guys to get together early and see each other.”
BOKO ON BOARD
In a hard-fought battle for a spot on the fourth line, Imama has emerged victorious.
"He's really fast,” Barkov said. “He's just a good, good guy to have on your team. He's a funny guy, too. He works really hard. He's always at the gym, like strongest guy I've seen. It's good to have that type of guy on your team. It brings you that kind of safe feeling.”
Joining the Panthers on a one-year, two-way contract as a free agent, Imama appeared in two games with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season and also played in 66 games in the AHL.
In three preseason games with the Panthers, the 30-year-old forward scored a goal and dropped the gloves once, showing off both his toughness and overall underrated skillset.
At 6-foot-1 and 223 pounds, Imama also has size and strength to spare.
“He’s exactly what we want, a guy in that position right now,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “He’s had an amazing camp. He's been an incredible guy. Again, another culture guy who's just fitting right in with Panther life.”
When the Panthers visit the Hurricanes, Imama is expected to be deployed alongside fellow newcomers in Eller and Hathaway.
PANTHERS PLUS
Watch the Cats in your house or on the go this season with Panthers Plus.
A streaming service for fans within the Panthers broadcast territory, Panthers Plus offers access to all Scripps Sports Panthers game broadcasts, the local pregame show for all national broadcasts, the first round of the playoffs (should Panthers qualify) and more.
The Panthers Plus Full Season Pass costs only $69.99 -- about a dollar per game!
To register now, click HERE.
PANTHERS PRIZE PACK
Rep the Florida Panthers this season in style!
Fans can enter now through Nov. 17, 2026 for a chance to win a Panthers Prize pack filled with sensational swag and a one- year subscription to the Panthers Plus streaming service.
To enter, click HERE.
CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK
The Panthers were spotted all around South Florida prior to the season starting.
