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Bruins-Panthers season opener in Florida proceeding as planned amid approaching Hurricane Milton
"As of now, Opening Night vs. Boston is scheduled to proceed as intended."
Even with the impending arrival of Hurricane Milton, the Bruins’ season-opening away game against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night is still set to get underway.
Milton, which re-intensified back into a Category 5 storm Tuesday evening, is projected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday night.
According to forecasters, the storm underwent one of the most “extreme rapid intensifications” in recent memory on Monday as it churned over the Gulf of Mexico.
Even though forecasters expect Milton to weaken into a low-grade Category 4 storm or high-end Category 3 by the time it makes landfall in Florida Wednesday night, the storm is expected to bring widespread damage due to 10 to 15-foot storm surges, major flooding, and blistering winds.
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Milton’s projected track through Florida is not expected to carry through South Florida. But, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis still declared a state of emergency in 54 total counties, including Broward County, where the Panthers have their home arena.
An NHL spokesperson confirmed to The Boston Globe’s Jim McBride that Tuesday’s game remains as scheduled.
“In all cases such as this, we monitor the weather reports and follow the lead of local authorities,” an NHL spokesman told the Globe.
Given the current track of the storm, the heaviest impact of Milton in terms of strong winds and severe flooding may not impact South Florida until late Wednesday or early Thursday.
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The Bruins flew down to Fort Lauderdale on Sunday evening and are expected to fly out of the region late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning after their matchup against the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
Boston will host the Montreal Canadiens in its home opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night at TD Garden.
Even though Tuesday’s game will carry on, the Panthers canceled a public celebration at Amerant Bank Arena Monday night where the roster was going to be awarded their Stanley Cup rings. Instead, the rings were gifted to the team’s players and staff in a private ceremony on Monday night.
“As this event would take resources from first responders and service providers, we have made the tough decision to cancel our Champions Ring Ceremony out of an abundance of caution for the safety of all involved. We will instead distribute our championship rings privately,” President and CEO Matt Caldwell said in a team statement. “Along with state and local authorities, we are closely monitoring the situation.
As of now, Opening Night vs. Boston is scheduled to proceed as intended and we will continue preparing our arena and surrounding areas to safely welcome guests for Opening Night.”
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While the Panthers are moving forward with Tuesday’s game, pro sports teams on Florida’s western coastline have already taken proactive measures to clear out before Milton’s arrival.
Both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning have left Florida and are scheduled to hold practices elsewhere this week.
The Buccaneers, who are scheduled to play the Saints on Sunday, left Tampa on Tuesday and will practice in New Orleans through the week. The Lightning hopped on a plane chartered for Raleigh, North Carolina, on Monday night — even though their season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes is not scheduled until Friday.
Even though Fort Lauderdale and Miami are not in Milton’s projected path, the Miami Heat announced Tuesday that their home preseason matchup against the Hawks scheduled for Thursday night will be postponed and pushed back to Oct. 16.
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