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Sunrise, Fla. – Jesper Boqvist scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period and the Florida Panthers, after raising their second straight Stanley Cup banner, opened defense of the title by beating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Ex-Wolverine Mackie Samoskevich – getting his second assist, the fifth two-point game of his career – chipped the puck toward the goal and Boqvist knocked it out of the air for the lead with 10:20 left. A.J. Greer and Carter Verhaeghe also had goals for Florida, which got 18 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky.
Mt. Clemens’ Frank Nazar had a goal and an assist and Teuvo Teravainen also scored for Chicago. Former Panthers goalie Spencer Knight made 34 saves for the Blackhawks.
For the Panthers, it was the sort of grind-it-out win that might be necessary with star forwards Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk out with injuries.
“That’s what the year is,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “It’s the building of that identity and the finding of it.”
It was the official debut for new Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill, who coached Detroit for seven seasons – 2015-16 through 2021-22 – and was hired by Chicago in May. The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2015 and haven’t made it past the first round of the playoffs since.
“This is what we love to do, and life goes by fast,” Blashill said. “Let’s make sure we’re enjoying it.”
Chicago scored first midway through the opening period on a breakaway from Nazar, but the Panthers – who outshot the Blackhawks 17-3 in the first 20 minutes – went into the first intermission up 2-1 after goals three minutes apart from Greer and Verhaeghe.
Teravainen scored early in the second to tie the game at 2-2, and it stayed that way until Boqvist delivered.
Bettman sees value in Olympic break
Sunrise, Fla. – NHL commissioner Gary Bettman isn’t the biggest fan of taking a nearly three-week break in the middle of the season so players can participate in the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
That said, he obviously sees the value.
Bettman spoke at the season-opening game Tuesday between the Florida Panthers – who raised their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship banner – and the Chicago Blackhawks. He made clear again that he knows what having NHL players back on the Olympic stage can do for the game.
“I think it’s going to be great,” Bettman said between the first and second periods. “It’s important to our players. That’s why we’re doing it. Listen, there are lots of reasons that I’m never thrilled about taking a couple of week break in the season. Changes a lot of things. But on balance, I think it’ll be worth it, A) for the exposure, B) for the fan engagement, but C) and most importantly, this is and has always been very important to our players. And that’s why we’re doing this.”
The NHL got tons of exposure and engagement during last season’s 4 Nations Face-Off event, and the Olympics are obviously going to be bigger than that tournament.
“We came off of 4 Nations on a high,” Bettman said. “It shows you what our players can do representing hockey and what we think is the best best-on-best in international competition.”
In other matters covered by Bettman on Tuesday:
Panthers-Lightning penalties
The league wasn’t overjoyed by the way the Tampa Bay-Florida preseason game on Saturday played out, with 65 penalties, 13 game misconducts and 312 penalty minutes.
“I think we made our position clear in terms of our response,” Bettman said. “That’s not what the game is all about.”
On Monday, the NHL suspended Tampa Bay forward Scott Sabourin four games and defenseman J.J. Moser for two games for their actions in that game. Additionally, the Lightning organization was fined $100,000 and Lightning coach Jon Cooper was fined $25,000, the NHL said.
“We didn’t think what happened was appropriate for a variety of reasons,” Bettman said.
Outdoor games in Florida
Bettman said ticket sales are going “great” for outdoor games to be played later this season in Florida. The Panthers will play host to the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park in Miami – home of baseball’s Marlins – on Jan. 2 in the Winter Classic, and the Lightning will host the Boston Bruins at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1 in a Stadium Series game.
“I think we’re going to have a public sale at some point for tickets that are left, but so far … the response has been overwhelmingly positive and we’re excited to come to Florida with two outdoor games,” Bettman said. “There are some people who question our sanity, but the combination of being able to prep the ice at loanDepot – where we can control the elements until we open the roof – and that we’re able to create a structure in Tampa, we think we’ll be fine.”
The Marlins’ loanDepot Park has a retractable roof and that will play a big role in getting that stadium ready for hockey. The air conditioning will be cranked up – way up – and the Panthers-Rangers game will be played at night with the roof open. For the Lightning-Bruins game inside the open-air stadium in Tampa, the NHL will build a temporary roof over the ice surface and remove it just a few hours before game time.
Eichel dismisses McDavid’s discount deal
Las Vegas – Golden Knights center Jack Eichel said Tuesday that Connor McDavid’s below-market extension to stay with Edmonton has no bearing on his contract talks with Vegas.
McDavid gave the Oilers a hometown discount, signing a two-year, $25 million deal on Monday that keeps him in Edmonton through 2028. The three-time MVP could have tried to negotiate for a better deal than the eight-year, $136 million contract for Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov on Sept. 30 that made him the NHL’s highest-paid player ever.
Eichel enters the final season of an eight-year, $80 million deal, and he is expected to command a contract closer to Kaprizov than McDavid, perhaps even richer than what the Wild agreed to pay.
“I don’t have much to say other than we are having conversations and trying to find the right deal and hoping we can get something done,” Eichel’s agent, Pat Brisson, said in a text message.
Eichel said he’s in touch with Brisson every day, but also understands with the Golden Knights opening Wednesday night against Los Angeles that if a deal gets done, it likely will be during the season.
“It’s something we’ll continue to work at,” Eichel said. “In my situation, just try to be as good of a player and teammate every night the best I can and help our hockey team win games.”
Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said on the eve of training camp that other players’ contracts will not be taken into consideration when it comes to trying to reach a deal with Eichel.
“I will say what I said in July, Jack is a priority,” McCrimmon said. “We have tremendous regard for the player and what he’s meant to our organization. I think he feels the organization’s been very good for him as well, and we’ll continue to have dialogue.”
Eichel scored a career-high 94 points last season that included a personal-best 66 assists. He and newly acquired Mitch Marner will share the top line with Ivan Barbashev. Marner had 102 points with Toronto, and he agreed to an eight-year, $96 million sign-and-trade deal with Vegas.
“I’m hoping they’re dangerous every time they’re on the ice because they have it in them offensively,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said of the first line. “I know what they can do defensively. There’s never a worry for me who’s the matchup on the other side, and that’s no disrespect to those players. They’ve handled those matchups for years in the league, and now you’ve got two of them on the same line.”
Holtz signs 2-year deal
The Golden Knights signed forward Alexander Holtz to a two-year, $1.675 million contract. He was on a professional tryout agreement.
The 23-year-old played in 53 games last season for the Golden Knights, recording four goals and eight assists.
Alex Ovechkin ready for 21st season
Arlington, Va. – When Alex Ovechkin was asked what he is most looking forward to on opening night this season, his answer was a subtle reminder that the 40-year-old version of the star forward is different than the player who entered the NHL two decades ago.
“Warmups,” he said with a grin. “I hope my kids are going to make it for warmups.”
Ovechkin begins season No. 21 with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night when they host the Boston Bruins. It’s hard to imagine 2025-26 being more eventful than 2024-25, when he broke Wayne Gretzky’s record and become the league’s career leader in goals, but if last season was filled with anticipation – and ultimately celebration – this one may be more about appreciation.
It could be Ovechkin’s last in the NHL. He is entering the final season of his contract and hasn’t said whether he intends to retire – or even how soon he expects to make a decision.
“I just take day by day,” he said Tuesday. “You have to have fun, you have to enjoy yourself, and try to do it best as you can.”
After passing Gretzky with goal No. 895 late last season, Ovechkin enters 2025-26 with 897.
“He’s already looking at 900 – like hopefully that happens (Wednesday) night,” coach Spencer Carbery said before chuckling at the possibility of an opening-night hat trick.
That 900th goal could be the last big milestone for a while. Ovechkin already holds NHL records for power-play goals, 40-goal seasons and 30-goal seasons. Although his game has slowed in some respects, his ability to put the puck in the net remained elite last season, when he scored 44 goals in 65 games.
He became the second-oldest player to produce a 40-goal season. Gordie Howe scored 44 in 1968-69, the season after he turned 40.
“I’m 31 and it’s hard,” Capitals forward Tom Wilson said. “It takes a toll on the body. All of us, we just play as long as we can. He’s the GOAT. He can just keep playing and scoring goals.”
As consistent as Ovechkin has been, his production should not be taken for granted. In many ways, 2024-25 felt like a charmed season for both the Capitals and their Russian star. Washington rose all the way to the top of the Metropolitan Division, and Ovechkin scored on a career-high 18.6% of his shots.
There’s plenty of chatter that both team and player might now regress, and with the record chase out of the way, it will be up to the Capitals to keep the intensity level high.
“I think the goal chase was good last year. It energized our team. I think it helped us get through the dog days a bit. It was such a cool moment for the whole organization,” general manager Chris Patrick said. “But I think Alex has always been team first and I think the way he’s handling this season just shows that he’s a team-first guy.”
Ovechkin already had to deal with an injury last month, although the severity was nothing like the broken leg he had in the middle of last season. Carbery says he has noticed no difference in his star’s enthusiasm.
When Ovechkin is on one of his scoring binges, it sometimes feels like he could play until he’s 50, but nobody is immune to the effects of age. Capitals fans would be wise to savor this season, which could be their final chance to watch the greatest player in franchise history.
“It’s pretty darn impressive, just his mentality and his physical perseverance to keep going and doing what he’s doing, there’s really no words to describe it,” Wilson said. “I don’t think anybody in that room will be talking about playing when they are 40, let alone scoring 44 goals and the broken leg and all that stuff last year. He’s a machine.”
October schedules
Thursday, Oct. 9
▶ Canadiens at Red Wings, 7
▶ Western Michigan at Ferris State, 7
▶ NTDP U18 at University of Wisconsin, 8
Friday, Oct. 10
▶ Grand Rapids at Texas, 8
▶ New Hampshire at Michigan State, 7
▶ Michigan at Providence, 7
▶ Western Michigan at Ferris State, 7
▶ Northern Michigan at Ohio State, 6:30
▶ Muskegon at NTDP U17, 7
Saturday, Oct. 11
▶ Maple Leafs at Red Wings, 7
▶ Grand Rapids at Texas, 8
▶ New Hampshire at Michigan State, 7:30
▶ Michigan at Providence, 7
▶ Northern Michigan at Ohio State, 5
Monday, Oct. 13
▶ Red Wings at Maple Leafs, 4
Wednesday, Oct. 15
▶ Panthers at Red Wings, 7
Thursday, Oct. 16
▶ Robert Morris at Michigan, 7
▶ Green Bay at NTDP U17, 7
Friday, Oct. 17
▶ Lightning at Red Wings, 7
▶ Manitoba at Grand Rapids, 7
▶ Michigan State at Boston University, 6:30
▶ Robert Morris at Michigan, 7
▶ Western Michigan at Massuchusetts Lowell, 7:15
▶ Michigan Tech at Alaska, 11 p.m.
▶ Colorado College at Northern Michigan, 7
▶ Lake Superior State at NTDP U18, 7
▶ NTDP U17 at Youngston, 7
Saturday, Oct. 18
▶ Manitoba at Grand Rapids, 7
▶ Michigan State at Boston University, 7
▶ Western Michigan at Massachusetts Lowell, 6
▶ Michigan Tech at Alaska, 11 p.m.
▶ Colorado College at Northern Michigan, 6
▶ Ferris State at NTDP U18, 7
Sunday, Oct. 19
▶ Oilers at Red Wings, 3
Wednesday, Oct. 22
▶ Red Wings at Sabres, 7:30
Thursday, Oct. 23
▶ Red Wings at Islanders, 7
▶ Western Michigan at Michigan, 7
Friday, Oct. 24
▶ Manitoba at Grand Rapids, 7
▶ Michigan State at Northern Michigan, 7
▶ Western Michigan at Michigan, 7
▶ Michigan Tech at Ferris State, 6
▶ NTDP U18 at Niagara University, 6
▶ NTDP U17 at Des Moines, 8
Saturday, Oct. 25
▶ Blues at Red Wings, 7
▶ Michigan State at Northern Michigan, 6
▶ Michigan Tech at Ferris State, 6
▶ NTDP U18 at Cornell, 7
▶ NTDP U17 at Des Moines, 8
Tuesday, Oct. 28
▶ Red Wings at Blues, 8:15
▶ Grand Rapids at Iowa, 8
Thursday, Oct. 30
▶ Red Wings at L.A. Kings, 10:30
▶ Muskegon at NTDP U18, 7
Friday, Oct. 31
▶ Red Wings at Ducks, 10
▶ Michigan at Notre Dame, TBD
▶ Michigan Tech at Clarkson, 7
▶ Northern Michigan at Augustana, 8
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