OTTAWA — Marek Alscher and Ludvig Jansson made their NHL debuts for the Florida Panthers during a 5-1 defeat to the Ottawa Senators on April 9, 2026, at Canadian Tire Centre.
The Panthers were short-handed on defense, missing five regular defensemen due to injuries, prompting the recall of Alscher and Jansson from the AHL. Alscher played 19:28 minutes while Jansson logged 13:37 in their first NHL games.
Game Summary
Drake Batherson opened scoring for Ottawa with a power-play goal at 6:49 of the first period. Fabian Zetterlund added a second goal before the period ended. Despite key early saves by Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, the Senators extended their lead when Artem Zub scored early in the third period.
Jesper Boqvist scored Florida’s sole goal at 14:17 of the third period, finishing a rush assisted by A.J. Greer. In the closing minutes, Claude Giroux scored into an empty net, followed shortly by Zetterlund’s second goal on a power play, sealing the 5-1 victory for Ottawa.
Player and Coach Comments
Alscher described the experience as “sweet and sour,” acknowledging the significance of his first NHL game but expressing disappointment in the team loss. Panthers coach Paul Maurice reflected on the rookies’ debuts, emphasizing the contributions of family and coaches in helping the players reach the NHL level.
Jesper Boqvist praised Alscher and Jansson, noting their performance and hope that they enjoyed their first NHL experience.
Looking Ahead
The Panthers will conclude their road schedule on April 11, 2026, when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
Source: Original report