Gustav Forsling Overtime Goal Lifts Panthers Over Hurricanes in Opener

Gustav Forsling scored the game's only goal with 4.3 seconds remaining in overtime to give Florida a 1-0 win.

Gustav Forsling scored a one-timer from near the blue line with 4.3 seconds remaining in overtime to lead the Florida Panthers to a 1-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. The season opener in Raleigh featured a goaltending duel where Jacob Markstrom earned the win with 15 saves in his Panthers debut. Brandon Bussi, who started for the reigning Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes, stopped 19 shots before allowing the game-winner.

The game remained scoreless through regulation despite a combined 13 power plays between the two teams. Florida secured the win when Carter Verhaeghe carried the puck into the zone with under 10 seconds left in the extra period before dropping a pass back to Forsling. The defenseman’s shot beat Bussi on the glove side to end the contest.

Prior to puck drop, the Hurricanes raised their 2026 Stanley Cup championship banner to the rafters following their June victory over Vegas. The matchup featured the NHL's last three title winners, as Florida entered the game having won the championship in 2024 and 2025.

Florida’s lineup saw the return of captain Aleksander Barkov from injury and the debut of offseason acquisition Brady Tkachuk. Brady Tkachuk skated on the top line alongside Barkov and Sam Reinhart, while his brother, Matthew Tkachuk, played on the second line with Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett.