Boston's new forward battles against a former Bruin to start the season

SUNRISE, Fla. – It didn't take long for the rivalry between the Bruins and Panthers to heat up again, even if the early combatants had no history.

A new Bruin met a former Bruin and another former Bruin didn't like it and the gloves flew from there.

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The last time Boston played Florida, Jesper Boqvist was dressed in black and gold, but after he signed with the Panthers, Mark Kastelic, who took Boqvist's old spot as fourth-line center, beat him early with a hit to open ice near the Florida blue line to ground the first period.

AJ Greer, who was last at home in Boston in 2022/23, didn't like the hit. Less than six minutes into the game, he immediately jumped the former Senator at center ice.

Greer immediately threw the Bruins forward onto the ice. Kastelic got up, but was immediately at a disadvantage. Greer landed three rights as Kastelic tried to get to his feet. Kastelic finally scored with a shot before Greer pushed him back to the ice.

The fight fired up the Panthers and their crowd. They quickly scored two goals and controlled the game from then on.