The Carolina Hurricanes ' series opener had everything you could want entertainment-wise as they faced the Florida Panthers . The Captain Jordan Staal came out with the Stanley Cup in hand – taking a lap for the fans to conclude the opening night roster callouts – there was a pregame Storm Surge with the Cup at center ice, the championship banner was raised to the rafters , the NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was chilling in the suites , we had fights and scrums and chirps, and even bonus hockey as the game went to overtime.
RAISE THE BANNER!
The Carolina Hurricanes posed for pictures in front of their 2026 Stanley Cup Champions banner before it was lifted to the rafters! #SoundTheSiren #TimeToHunt #NHL pic.twitter.com/bVXXv8kpIK— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) September 29, 2026
However, one thing seemed to be missing for Carolina amidst the celebration and turning of the page to the new season…and that was a pair of points at the end of the game.
The first period was pretty slow for both teams, as the Hurricanes put just three shots on goal, and the Panthers only did so six times. Towards the end of the frame – unsurprisingly to most – Nicolas Deslauriers and Bokondji Imama dropped the gloves in an attempt to spark life into their teams, both throwing some haymakers before receiving five minute major penalties for fighting, making their way to their respective locker rooms.
Nicolas Deslauriers VS Bokondji Imama 🔔🥊
We all knew it was coming at some point! Deslauriers and Imama tried sparking some life into their teams towards the end of the first period, dropping gloves for a good ol' fashioned fight #SoundTheSiren #TimeToHunt #NHL pic.twitter.com/Wqc5q5Zr8d— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) September 29, 2026
Meanwhile, the second period had a little more zest from both teams – seeing more shot attempts, speed, and quality plays, though it still ended without a goal.
The third period wasn't much different, once again ending 0-0, leading to overtime.
For the first time since the Toronto Maple Leafs and Minnesota North Stars in 1984, the Hurricanes and Panthers went scoreless through regulation in their opener.
As for the game-winning goal, it went to Gustav Forsling on a one-timer at the point with just 4.3 seconds left before the game would scoot to the shootout, taking the game with a 1-0 final score.
Just a brutal way to end to the season opener for the Carolina Hurricanes
The game pushed on to overtime, and with just 4.3 seconds left, Gustav Forsling launched a slapshot from the point to win the game #SoundTheSiren #TimeToHunt #NHL pic.twitter.com/y5r27ZXvU5— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) September 30, 2026
On the bright side, it is still a point in the standings for the Hurricanes.
Despite the Hurricanes' loss, there were still some interesting takeaways.
As you would expect, there were a fair number of penalties on both sides, with both teams playing exceptional hockey on special teams. The Hurricanes were 0/6 on the power play, while being 7/7 on the penalty kill – an encouraging sign on the man disadvantage in the absence of defensive forward Seth Jarvis .
In all honesty, I can't help but point towards an interesting penalty at the end of the second period, in which Sean Walker began the third period in the box – unsportsmanlike conduct – after ruffling around Matthew Tkachuk 's helmet. …It appeared to be in response to Tkachuk shoving his stick into the back of Staal's neck. But, it is what it is – the penalty was killed, anyway.
Jordan Martinook landed a hit on Niko Mikkola at the end of the second period and it led to a whole little scuffle by the boards
Sean Walker is the only one to get a penalty here after grabbing the bucket of Matthew Tkachuk #SoundTheSiren #TimeToHunt #NHL pic.twitter.com/TgUQTzFPpZ— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) September 29, 2026
On a separate note, the Hurricanes' goaltending was phenomenal. Brandon Bussi hadn't appeared to miss a beat from last season, playing strong, smart hockey. While Jacob Markstrom only had to face 15 shots on goal from Carolina, Bussi swallowed 19 for a .950 save percentage. The twentieth shot – which was the game-winner – was a rocket from the distance and through a partial screen, not a failure on Bussi's part, but just good business by Forsling.
Brandon Bussi with an AWESOME save to rob Anton Lundell on the first shot of the 2026-27 NHL season #SoundTheSiren #TimeToHunt #NHL pic.twitter.com/Du3U3WMLq2
— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) September 29, 2026
The Hurricanes' next game will be Friday at 7:00 PM EDT versus the Washington Capitals in Lenovo Center.
Also Read: Hurricanes Extend Captain Jordan Staal One Hour Before New CBA Goes Into Effect: Why That Matters
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