Saturday night in Sunrise, Florida, the Florida Panthers delivered a convincing statement to the rest of the NHL, dispatching the Ottawa Senators 6-2 at Amerant Bank Arena and sweeping their season-opening three-game homestand. For head coach Paul Maurice, this matchup was circled as the biggest test yet—a divisional rival, playoff-caliber, eager to show it belonged in the upper echelon. Yet, the Panthers, now 3-0-0, handled their business with poise and a touch of flair, leaving little doubt about their championship intentions.
Every goal in this emphatic victory came from a different stick, underscoring the Panthers’ remarkable depth. Brad Marchand and Evan Rodrigues got the party started in the first period, each finding the back of the net at even strength. Marchand’s opener, a breakaway beauty, was set up by a pinpoint stretch pass from defenseman Seth Jones just 6:08 into the game. Jones, who finished with two assists, displayed the kind of vision that makes him such a valuable piece on the blue line. According to Field Level Media, "Seth Jones flipped a pass to center ice that was gathered by Marchand for a breakaway. Marchand scored on a forehand-to-backhand move, slipping the puck under the left arm of Ullmark and off the far post."
Rodrigues followed up with a goal that required a bit of luck—his blast initially landed in Ottawa goalie Linus Ullmark’s glove, only to squirt out and trickle over the line. Sometimes, hockey gods smile on those who shoot, and Rodrigues certainly wasn’t complaining. The Panthers were up 2-0 with 10:06 left in the first, seemingly in control, but the Senators had a response in them.
Ottawa’s Shane Pinto, who has been on a tear with four goals in his first two games, took advantage of a rare miscue by Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky. With just 2:27 left in the opening frame, Bobrovsky mishandled a clearing attempt behind his net, and Ridly Greig quickly fed the puck to Pinto, who buried it before Bobrovsky could recover. The Senators cut the deficit to 2-1, injecting a bit of drama as the teams headed to the first intermission.
If the Senators hoped to ride that momentum, the Panthers had other ideas. Just 35 seconds into the second period, Aaron Ekblad restored Florida’s two-goal cushion with a power-play snipe from the left circle, Sam Reinhart providing the perfect screen in front of Ullmark. The Panthers’ power play, often a sore spot in years past, is suddenly a weapon; they’ve now scored with the man advantage in each of their first three games—a feat they haven’t accomplished since the 2002-03 season and only the third time in franchise history. Through three games, Florida has tallied five power-play goals, showing a newfound confidence and creativity on special teams.
The second period continued to tilt in Florida’s favor. With 1:32 left before the break, Anton Lundell deflected a shot through Ullmark’s five-hole for another power-play marker, making it 4-1. The Senators looked rattled, and Ullmark, who finished with 21 saves, simply couldn’t catch a break. As Field Level Media noted, "a Lundell deflection again squirted through Ullmark's five-hole."
Injuries could have been an excuse for Florida to stumble—after all, four key players are currently on injured reserve: defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (who may need surgery on his right arm), and forwards Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, and Tomas Nosek. Kulikov’s absence was felt, but Uvis Balinskis stepped into the lineup and helped keep things steady on the back end. The Panthers’ ability to plug holes and keep rolling speaks volumes about their depth and organizational resilience.
The third period saw the Panthers put the game out of reach. Mackie Samoskevich, a promising young forward, ripped a top-shelf power-play goal with 14:31 left, making it 5-1. Sam Reinhart then capped the Florida scoring with a close-range finish at the 8:46 mark. The Senators managed a late consolation goal—Pinto again, with 2:25 left in regulation—but by then, the outcome was beyond doubt. Pinto’s two-goal effort was a lone bright spot for Ottawa, which fell to 1-1-0 on the young season.
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky quietly had another strong night, turning aside 26 of 28 shots for his third win in as many starts. The veteran is now up to 432 career victories, just five shy of tying the legendary Jacques Plante for ninth on the NHL’s all-time wins list. Bobrovsky’s consistency and poise have been a bedrock for this Panthers squad, especially with so many regulars sidelined.
What stands out about this Florida team isn’t just its star power, but its balance. Through three games, nine different Panthers have found the back of the net. That kind of scoring depth is the envy of most teams and bodes well for a club eyeing its third straight Stanley Cup appearance. The Panthers’ current run of power-play success, their ability to get contributions up and down the lineup, and the steady presence in net all point to a team with legitimate championship aspirations.
Coach Paul Maurice, who expected a stiff challenge from Ottawa, had to be pleased with how his group responded. Every time the Senators threatened, the Panthers had an answer, refusing to let their foot off the gas. The win also marked the completion of a perfect homestand, with earlier victories over the Chicago Blackhawks (3-2) and Philadelphia Flyers (2-1). As the Panthers prepare to hit the road, they do so with momentum and confidence to spare.
Looking ahead, Florida embarks on a five-game road trip that will test their mettle further. The journey begins Monday night against the Flyers, followed by stops in Detroit, New Jersey, Buffalo, and Boston. With key players still out and the schedule intensifying, the Panthers will need to lean on their depth and discipline. But if the opening week is any indication, this team is more than ready for the challenge.
For Ottawa, there are positives to build on—Pinto’s finishing touch and flashes of offensive creativity—but defensive lapses and goaltending woes proved costly. Linus Ullmark, in particular, will want a few of those goals back, as two slipped through or off his glove in tough moments. The Senators will need to regroup quickly if they hope to keep pace in the competitive Atlantic Division.
As the Panthers leave Amerant Bank Arena with a perfect record and a statement win, fans have every reason to be excited. The season is young, but Florida’s blend of experience, emerging talent, and resilience in the face of adversity suggests they’re not just contenders—they’re early favorites. The next chapter begins on the road, where the Panthers will look to keep their hot start rolling and further cement their status as one of the NHL’s teams to watch.
