Gameday: Blackhawks at Florida Panthers | 4 pm CT Oct. 7, 2025

The Chicago Blackhawks take on the defending Stanley Cup Champions for the 2025-26 season opener.

Oct 07, 2025

Here we go. The 2025-26 NHL season begins today with the Chicago Blackhawks taking on the Florida Panthers, as they raise their second Stanley Cup banner. The Panthers are missing two huge players (Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov), and the Blackhawks are playing their first regular-season game under Jeff Blashill. Below is all you need to get set up for the game.

This is pretty much the format here for gameday previews. You’ll get the lineup and the roster construction for each team (the latter of which is inspired by The Committed Indian/Faxes From Uncle Dale). The roster construction is my way of doing homework on each team; I’m just sharing it with you. Not trying to rip off a beloved show.
At the bottom, you’ll get links to relevant news and the latest podcast episode from Four Feathers or the show we run here. This is a weekday-only thing. Weekends are off-limits.

Lineup decisions are subject to change until puck drop.

How to Watch: Blackhawks @ Panthers

Chicago Blackhawks

Starting Lineup

Roster Construction

This is a lot to ask for of Sam Rinzel. He doesn’t have a true top-pair partner tonight, and I’m afraid he’s going to get a rough look. While Grezlyck isn’t a horrible signing as far as depth goes, he certainly isn’t a top-pair defenseman for the rookie Rinzel.

Connor Bedard’s third NHL season begins this afternoon. In my season preview, I talked about how Bedard has a big year ahead of him. It’s not just because he’s playing for a contract; it’s because he has a lot of haters to prove wrong.

With Landon Slaggert out with an injury, Ryan Greene got the call-up and is on the fourth line. Greene will be playing in his third NHL game. Lukas Reichel, meanwhile, sits this one out as he starts the season as a healthy scratch. That ship has sailed for Reichel.

Florida Panthers

Starting Lineup

Roster Construction

The Florida Panthers are missing Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov. Tkachuk will likely return around December, while Barkov is out until April or May. In the meantime, Florida will see some of their players perform in elevated roles. Can Anton Lundell be a top-six center? How will Sam Reinhart perform on the Panthers’ second line?

I have no doubt this is still a playoff team. Just don’t be surprised when the Panthers ease off the gas just a little bit to conserve their energy for the playoffs. We can expect them to give their fans a good performance tonight for their banner-raising ceremony.

Seth Jones faces off against his former team after being traded to the Panthers and winning a Stanley Cup. All I have to say is stay away from r/hawks if you don’t want to read bonehead comments.