Buoyed by a pre-game ceremony celebrating their first Stanley Cup victory, the Florida Panthers got their season off to a strong start Tuesday in Sunrise, easily defeating the Boston Bruins 6-4.

Outshot 14-1 after 12 minutes, the Panthers led 4-1 after the first period. Only the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens had previously started a campaign with four goals in the first period after winning the championship.

The Panthers never looked back, improving to 11-0-2 in their home opener of the season.

Sam Bennett led the way with a brace. Eetu Luostarinen, Sam Reinhart, Jonah Gadjovich and Evan Rodrigues also lit the red light for the Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky gave up four shots on 28.

Pavel Zacha, Charlie McAvoy, Trent Frederic and David Pastrnak replied for the Bruins.
After missing all of training camp before signing an eight-year, $66 million contract late last week, Jeremy Swayman watched from the bench as newcomer Joonas Korpisalo allowed six goals on 35 shots.

Before the game, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov walked around the rink with the Stanley Cup. The Panthers then raised the banner to the ceiling and posed one last time with the silver bowl before moving on to the new season.

“Now we have to try to win it one more time,” said Barkov, who with one assist moved ahead of Mikko Koivu (711) for fifth place in National Hockey League (NHL) history for points by a Finn with 712.

The Blues are back
The St. Louis Blues came from behind with three goals in less than two minutes in the second period in Seattle, winning 3-2 over the Kraken in their season opener.

Jordan Kyrou scored two of three goals in a span of one minute, 55 seconds. Philip Broberg, who the Blues acquired in a bid from the Edmonton Oilers this summer, scored 20 seconds before Kyrou’s second.

Justin Faulk had two assists in the win. Jordan Binnington made 30 saves.

Vince Dunn and Eeli Tolvanen had previously put the Kraken on the board. Philipp Grubauer was tested 25 times in goal for the hometown favorites.

Jessica Campbell became the first woman to serve as an assistant coach in the NHL during a regular season game.

Moments before the game, the Kraken announced the appointment of Jordan Eberle as captain.

The 34-year-old veteran, who is entering his 15th NHL season, succeeds Mark Giordano, who was the organization’s first captain before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in March 2022. The club had not had a captain since.

“It’s an honour to be named captain of the Seattle Kraken,” Eberle said in a statement. “I’ve learned from some great leaders throughout my NHL career. I take great pride in being a great teammate and mentor.”

Eberle, who was selected by the Kraken in the 2021 expansion draft, had 17 goals and 44 points in 78 games last season. He had an assist against the Kraken.