SUNRISE, Fla. – Mark your calendars.

On Monday, the NHL announced that the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will kick off their 2025-26 season and raise their second straight banner into the rafters when they host the Chicago Blackhawks at Amerant Bank Arena on Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. ET.

The game will air on ESPN in the United States and Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.

Last season, the Panthers celebrated their first-ever Stanley Cup banner raising ceremony by riding a four-goal outburst in the first period to an eventual 6-4 win over the Boston Bruins.

Sam Bennett, the NHL’s reigning Conn Smythe trophy winner, scored twice in the win.

“It’s an emotional start to the season,” Bennett said afterward. “Seeing that banner going up, shoulder to shoulder with all the guys,

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