Dec 18, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) skates away from Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton (49) after knocking him to the ice during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Panthers defeated the Flyers, 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The last time the Florida Panthers played a regular season hockey game, it was April 11. 182 days later, we’re officially back in action. We can finally stop talking about what the Panthers are going to do, and now we can see what they can do.

The first game of the season will be an interesting test for the Panthers. The Philadephia Flyers are heading into town, coming off their season-opening overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning two nights ago. In that game they Flyers showed they won’t be an Eastern Conference doormat this year: they played Tampa tough and gave them fits with their physical game.

It looks like both squads will dress their top rosters, but the Panthers will be dressing Shawn Thornton in lieu of Connor Brickley, raising a few eyebrows. I’m not as worried, though. Thornton is a consummate hockey pro, and won’t be enough of a negative for the team for me to feel worried. But I’d also be a terrible coach in the NHL, so perhaps Gerard Gallant should not listen to me in these situations.

Player to watch for the Panthers: Aaron Ekblad. I just want to watch him play again. He’ll get plenty of minutes in both zones for the Panthers, and I want to know what he’s picked up over the last few months of practicing.

Player to watch for the Flyers: Steve Mason. The goalie had a fantastic season for the Flyers, coming back to life from whatever purgatory he was in after his wacky Columbus tenure. He is always a tough goalie, and he showed it against the Lightning Thursday night as well. But the real reason he’ll be tough? He always plays the Panthers tough. In 10 starts against Florida, Mason holds a 7-2-1 record, 1.48 GAA, and .953 SV%. On opening night, the Panthers offense will have to break a hole through that wall for their sellout crowd.

What beer are we drinkin’? Since I’ll be at this game in person (for the first time I can remember), I’ll have to check out what’s on tap at the Miami Brewing Beer Garden. If they have Gator Tail Brown Ale, then that’s what I’m getting, baby.

What song are we singin’? “Fearless” – Pink Floyd. This is Pink Floyd’s best unknown song, from their most underrated album (Meddle). Nothing more inspiring for a season opener than David Gilmour getting you to climb the hill against the odds:

“You pick the place and I’ll choose the time

And I’ll climb

The hill in my own way

just wait a while, for the right day

And as I rise above the treeline and the clouds

I look down hear the sound of the things you said today”

Go Panthers, and come say hi if you see me tonight!