Marchand, out since March 6, scores in return to Panthers - ESPN

Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand, out since March 6, made his season debut Sunday night in his team's 3-2 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks, scoring his first goal since Feb. 26.

Marchand, the 38-year-old veteran who had 27 goals and 54 points in his first full season with the Panthers last year, underwent offseason surgery and was originally expected to miss the first month.

But coach Paul Maurice confirmed Marchand's return before his team took the ice in Anaheim, and the left wing took his slot on the third line, playing alongside Brady Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart. He skated in 18 shifts in the loss, covering 13:10 of ice time. He finished with three shots on net, and his third-period goal helped Florida force overtime and secure a regulation point.

«It was a bit of a rude awakening,» Marchand said about his return to live game action. «I've only had a couple of morning skates with the guys, and one practice yesterday. So, the speed of the game and the intensity definitely ramped up a ton.»

Marchand revealed in mid-August that he had a procedure, the details of which were not released. He was dogged by a lower-body issue for much of last season, when Florida's hopes of contending for what would have been a third consecutive Stanley Cup were derailed by injuries throughout the lineup.

«He's going to take the month of October for rehab,» Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after the team's first day of training camp last month. «That may mean he's ready to play right at the end of it. That may mean he needs a short period of time, assuming no setbacks. But we're planning on rehabbing for October.»

Marchand missed a career-high 30 games last season. He was effective before getting shut down in early March, around the