Sam Bennett Powers Florida Panthers Past Bruins in Season Opener

The Florida Panthers kicked off their 2024 season in style, raising their Stanley Cup banner to the rafters before taking down the Boston Bruins 6-4 in a thrilling opener. Sam Bennett set the tone early, scoring twice in the first period as Florida jumped to a commanding lead and never looked back.

Bennett opened the scoring just over six minutes into the first period, capitalizing on a rebound after Evan Rodrigues’ shot was deflected. Moments later, Eetu Luostarinen doubled the lead, tapping in another close-range goal. The Panthers’ quick start left the Bruins reeling, and Florida continued to build momentum with Sam Reinhart adding a shorthanded goal to put the Panthers up 3-1.

Though Boston’s Pavel Zacha managed to score a shorthanded goal of his own, cutting the lead to 2-1, the Panthers’ relentless attack was too much. Bennett’s second goal of the night and a beautiful finish from Rodrigues in the third period kept the Panthers comfortably ahead. Boston tried to stage a late comeback with goals from Charlie McAvoy, Trent Frederic, and David Pastrnak, but Florida’s early dominance sealed the victory.

Head coach Paul Maurice praised his team’s performance, emphasizing the energy they drew from the banner-raising ceremony and the excitement of the home crowd. “We skated well, we were fast, and the atmosphere was electric. That energy fueled us right from the start,” Maurice said.

While Florida’s revamped roster showcased impressive chemistry, Boston struggled to keep pace. Newly acquired goaltender Joonas Korpisalo had a tough night, allowing six goals on 35 shots. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery acknowledged his team’s struggles, citing poor execution and a sluggish start as key factors in the loss.

As the Panthers embark on a road trip, they can take pride in a strong season opener, with contributions from across the lineup and a successful start to their title defense. Eleven different skaters collected points, and Florida outpaced Boston in scoring chances 30-18 in five-on-five play.

Next up for the Panthers is a four-game road stretch, including a rematch with the Bruins in Boston, where emotions will no doubt run high.

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