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NHL·RECAP·September 21, 2026 07:23 AM ET

Hurricanes drop preseason opener to Panthers, 6-3

Carolina has three exhibition games remaining on schedule.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 211 min read
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One down, three to go A young #Canes squad showed a lot to be encouraged about against a veteran-heavy Panthers lineup

What happened: A youthful Hurricanes squad yielded six goals to a veteran-heavy Florida lineup. The coaching staff noted encouraging developments from the prospect group despite the final result.

Why it matters: Management is using these initial contests to evaluate emerging talent before setting the 2025-26 roster. The organization recently closed its 2026 Prospect Showcase as the focus shifts entirely to training camp.

By the numbers: Carolina holds an 18-6 overall record this season while averaging 3.9 goals per game. Florida sits at 4-7 with a defense allowing 3.9 goals per contest.

What to watch: Coaches will utilize the rest of the preseason slate to finalize depth charts. Opening night follows the completion of this exhibition series.

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