Panthers captain Sasha Barkov excited to 'fight for it again'

Opening Night for the Florida Panthers has finally arrived.

As the NHL’s defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Panthers will be featured in the primetime slot on the league’s first official day of the season (in North America).

Florida will host the Boston Bruins at 7 p.m. at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.

Before the game, the Panthers will raise their first Stanley Cup Championship banner to the rafters above the ice in what should be a special and emotional ceremony for many of the longtime fans and team employees who will be in the building.

“It’s going to be exciting,” said Panthers captain Sasha Barkov.

On Monday night, Barkov and his teammates, along with coaches, front office executives and other staff members, all received their Stanley Cup Championship rings during a private ceremony in Fort Lauderdale.

The event was initially slated to be held at Amerant Bank Arena and open to fans, but the looming threat from Hurricane Milton led to the Panthers shifting their plans.

With a summer of rejoicing and partying in their collective rearview mirrors, championship rings on their fingers and a banner being raised above the ice, it’s truly time for Barkov and the Panthers to look ahead to the upcoming season.

“We deserved to celebrate the big accomplishment for the whole summer until now,” Barkov said. “Now finally we get to play again and fight for it again.”

Here is how Florida’s forward lines are projected to look Tuesday against Boston:

Carter Verhaeghe – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart

Evan Rodrigues – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Mackie Samoskevich

Jonah Gadjovich – Jesper Boqvist – A.J. Greer

Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad

Niko Mikkola – Dmitry Kulikov

Nate Schmidt – Adam Boqvist

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