NHLSep 30
Forsling’s Late OT Strike Lifts Panthers on Hurricanes’ Banner Night
Florida edged defending champion Carolina 1-0 as Gustav Forsling broke a goaltending duel with 4.3 seconds remaining in overtime.
By OddsListing wire desk
· 2 min read
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Florida Finds the Final Opening
The Hurricanes celebrated their Stanley Cup championship before Tuesday’s season opener in Raleigh, but the Panthers left with the win after Gustav Forsling delivered the only goal with overtime nearly exhausted. Carter Verhaeghe entered the offensive zone with under 10 seconds remaining and moved the puck back to Forsling. The defenseman unloaded a one-timer from near the blue line, beating Brandon Bussi on the glove side with 4.3 seconds left to secure a 1-0 victory. Until that finish, goaltending and defensive play had kept both teams off the scoreboard. Jacob Markstrom recorded 15 saves for Florida, while Bussi stopped 19 shots before the winner. The teams combined for 13 power plays in regulation without scoring.
Championship Celebration Meets a Retooled Challenger
Carolina’s pregame ceremony capped the celebration of a championship secured against Vegas in June. Players gathered along the blue line as the banner was raised, marking the franchise’s second Cup after a 16-3 postseason run. Florida offered a demanding opening assignment. The Panthers won championships in 2024 and 2025 during a stretch of three consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances, twice knocking Carolina out in the Eastern Conference final. After injuries disrupted last season, Florida opened with captain Aleksander Barkov back and offseason addition Brady Tkachuk alongside Barkov and Sam Reinhart on the top line. Matthew Tkachuk skated with Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett rather than his brother. Markstrom, brought in to replace Sergei Bobrovsky in the crease, supplied the shutout that allowed Forsling’s late strike to decide the opener.
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