MIAMI:

Swedish center Jesper Boqvist scored the winning goal in the third period to give reigning champion Florida a 3-2 victory over Chicago in the 2025-26 NHL season opener on Tuesday.

The Panthers raised their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship banner then launched their quest for a third crown in a row by beating the Blackhawks, the crowd chanting, "We want three" as the banner went to the arena roof.

"It's an exciting night seeing the banner go up," Florida center Sam Bennett said. "But after puck drop it's back to business."

Not since the New York Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cup titles from 1980-1983 has a team captured the crown three seasons in a row.

"It certainly won't be easy but the hunger is still there and the belief that we can do it, so yeah, we're

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