SUNRISE, Fla. – One down, 81 more to go on the path back to the playoffs.

Getting off to a good start in their quest for a third straight Stanley Cup, the Florida Panthers got right back to work with a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Opening Night at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday.

“It’s a great way to start,” forward Brad Marchand said. “You want to start with a win.”

Prior to puck drop, the Panthers raised their second straight championship banner into the rafters.

“That was nice,” said defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who had the honor of carrying the Cup out in the absence of injured captain Aleksander Barkov. “That’s usually Barky’s spot. I was just filling in. It feels incredible coming out in front of our fans, being able to hoist it one last time. Trying to put that feeling behi

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