NHL Opener: Panthers GameDay at Hurricanes. How to Watch, Stream; Goalies, Lines, Betting Odds

The Florida Panthers visit the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh to open the NHL season as Carolina celebrates raising its 2026 Stanley Cup banner. Florida enters the matchup looking to rebound after missing the postseason last year, while captain Sasha Barkov returns to the lineup following a full-season absence due to knee surgery. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Lenovo Center and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Jacob Markstrom will start in net for Florida, while Brandon Bussi gets the nod in goal for the Hurricanes. Brad Marchand remains sidelined for the Panthers following surgery, and Seth Jarvis is out injured for Carolina. Local sportsbooks have Carolina listed as -125 moneyline favorites heading into the opening night contest.