The Florida Panthers fell to the Minnesota Wild 1–4 in their 2026–27 season home opener. The Wild grinded out the victory to snap Florida's unbeaten-in-regulation streak while also closing out their own road stretch. Kirill Kaprizov scored three times and took center stage throughout the contest.
Wild set the tone in the first period
Minnesota came out with purpose and built a 2–0 lead through the first period. Matt Boldy opened the scoring with a wrist shot from the high slot, attacking the Panthers' zone after a Florida turnover. Shortly after, Kirill Kaprizov lit the lamp on the power play with a one-timer from the right face-off circle, set up by a cross-ice pass from Maxim Shabanov.
Florida struggled to find answers against the Wild's compact defensive structure. Jacob Markstrom, making his first home start as a Panthers goaltender since November 2013, kept his team in it with 25 saves. Nevertheless, Minnesota carried a commanding lead into the first intermission.
Florida pulled one back, Kaprizov responded
The Panthers came out stronger in the second period and cut the deficit to 1–2. Matthew Tkachuk pounced on a loose puck after Jesper Wallstedt turned aside his initial attempt, poking the rebound over the line in front of the net. The goal brought Florida back into the game in front of their home crowd.
Minnesota refused to be rattled. Kirill Kaprizov restored the two-goal cushion with a wrist shot from the right circle, with Matt Boldy picking up the assist and Joel Eriksson Ek also involved in the play. The Wild headed to the second intermission leading 3–1, leaving the Panthers chasing the game once again.
Hat trick seals Minnesota's road win
In the third period, Minnesota locked things down and protected their lead with focus. Florida was forced to push forward and take more risks, but found no way past Jesper Wallstedt. As the clock wound down, the game's direction tilted firmly toward the visitors.
Kirill Kaprizov put the result beyond doubt with an empty-net goal. He picked up the puck in his own defensive zone and fired it the length of the ice into the vacant net — completing his seventh career NHL hat trick and establishing the final score: Florida Panthers 1, Minnesota Wild 4.
The defeat was particularly notable for the Panthers as it came in their first home appearance of the season after four consecutive road games. Aaron Ekblad played his 807th NHL game in a Florida uniform, becoming the franchise's all-time leader in games played. The absences of Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand made Florida's task considerably harder. Minnesota capitalized on their opportunities efficiently and came away with a clear-cut road victory.
