Forsling one-timed a pass from Carter Verhaeghe just inside the blue line.
Jacob Markstrom, who was acquired in a trade with the New Jersey Devils on June 30, made 15 saves for the Panthers. Markstrom was Florida’s second-round pick (No. 31) in the 2008 NHL Draft and played his first four seasons for the Panthers.
Forward Brady Tkachuk made his Panthers debut, playing 16:33 with one shot on goal. Tkachuk was acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators on June 21, joining his brother Matthew with Florida.
The Panthers also welcomed back forward Aleksander Barkov. The three-time Selke Trophy winner missed the entirety of the 2025-26 season after sustaining a knee injury early in training camp before last season. Barkov had one shot on goal in 20:32 time on ice.
Florida finished seventh in the Atlantic Division and missed the playoffs last season after winning the Stanley Cup in 2024 and 2025.
Brandon Bussi made 19 saves for the Hurricanes.