Sam Bennett scored two goals as the Florida Panthers opened the defense of their first Stanley Cup title with a 6-4 win over the Boston Bruins.

Florida in 2023 erased a 3-1 deficit to knock out a Boston team that set the NHL record for most regular-season points in NHL history in the opening round of the playoffs on its way to a surprising run to the Stanley Cup Final.

The Florida Panthers will raise their 2023-24 Stanley Cup Champions banner when they host the Boston Bruins in the season opener on Tuesday, October 8.

Welcome back to the return of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in.