SUNRISE - Sasha Barkov scored in his first game back after missing the entire 2025-26 season with a reconstructive knee injury, and Brady Tkachuk posted a three-point night as the Florida Panthers opened the 2026 preseason with a 6-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at Amerant Bank Arena on Sunday.
Barkov, who underwent reconstructive knee surgery last September, was sprung on a breakaway in the second period and tucked his shot under Hurricanes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov to give Florida a 2-1 lead. The Panthers then erupted for four goals in the second period alone, pulling away from a Carolina lineup that featured mostly younger players, Florida Hockey Now reported.
Brady Tkachuk led all scorers with two goals and one assist. He opened the scoring on a power play in the first period, rifling a shot from the high slot off a feed from his older brother Matthew Tkachuk. Brady added an empty-net goal with 2:15 remaining in the third to seal the result. The brothers also shared time in the penalty box in the third period after Brady took a fighting penalty defending Barkov and Matthew drew an unsportsmanlike penalty.
Defenseman Niko Mikkola, returning from a knee injury that ended his 2025-26 season early, finished with one goal and two assists. Cole Reinhardt, competing for a roster spot, scored twice, including a deflection from the slot to make it 4-3 in the second period.
Jacob Markstrom played the full game in net for the Panthers, his first appearance with the club since 2014. Under new preseason rules limiting veteran players to two of the four exhibition games, Markstrom is expected to get another start before the regular season opener.
The Panthers face Carolina again Tuesday on the road before back-to-back preseason matchups with the Tampa Bay Lightning - away Thursday and at home Saturday, Sept. 26. Florida’s training camp continues through Sept. 27 in Fort Lauderdale. The 2026-27 regular season opens Sept. 29 at Carolina at 5 p.m. on ESPN, with the home opener set for Oct. 10 against the Minnesota Wild at 6 p.m.