Annd.. they're off!

Panthers dropped the season opener, 6-4 against Carolina with the sixth Cane goal coming on an empty net. The Panthers looked good, although McCabe was injured in the second period.

From the AP via the Panthers website:

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -Joni Pitkanen and Dan LaCouture found the perfect way to fit in with their new Carolina teammates: Lead them to a season-opening victory over the team that kept them out of the playoffs.

Both of the Hurricanes' newcomers scored in their debut Friday night, and Carolina beat the Florida Panthers 6-4 in the opener for both teams. . . READ MORE

It sounds like people are already pushing the panic button, reading posts at the Cats' official boards and over at Hockey's Future (HFboards.com), but I say give this time. The Panthers looked good. They were largely as advertised -- agressive, fast and they fought out an exciting game. Vokoun wasn't at his best, and if he were, the Panthers would have come away with a victory.

As it stands, there will be games where the offense doesn't do enough for their goaltender, and vice versa. I'm anxious to see if they will sustain the pressure with which they played tonight against the Thrashers.

The Amerks lost to Syracuse, 4-3. Janis Sprukts, Michal Repik and Andrew Sweetland scored for Rochester.

North Dakota lost, 5-1. Derrick LaPoint was a -3 with a tripping penalty in the third period. . . Ryan Watson did not play for Western Michigan, and Matt Duffy picked up an assist in Maine's 5-4 victory.