ELMONT, N.Y. — The new-look Florida Panthers were as advertised in their first regular-season game of the 2022-23 NHL season — for better and worse.
Gone is the free-wheeling, Jonathan Huberdeau-led offense of last year, as well as the relentless pressure made possible by one of the deepest rosters in the league. In their place is a more traditional look, with more bodies around the net and Matthew Tkachuk, their new All-Star right wing, reshaping the Panthers in his own image.
The end result Thursday still was a 3-1 win against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena — a fitting result to start this new era in South Florida.
