If the Panthers are going to repeat as Southeast Division champions this season, a quick start will likely be needed.

That won’t be easy.

The 2013 lockout-shortened schedule was released late Saturday night with the Panthers opening at home on Jan. 19 against Carolina; the Cats will close the 48-game season on April 28 in Tampa Bay.

The Panthers will have seven back-to-back sets this season starting next Monday as Florida’s first road trip has it playing in Ottawa on Jan. 21 and in Montreal the following night.

Florida will have a season-high five game road trip (at Carolina, Rangers, Islanders, Devils and Toronto) March19-26; the season-long, four-game homestand is Feb. 12-18.

Florida will play five games in its first week back — training camp opens Sunday morning with the first game less than a week away. The Panthers will also play eight games in the first 15 days of the season.

The Panthers plan to raise the franchise’s first division championship banner at Saturday’s home opener. All fans will receive a replica banner.

Tickets to all home games will go on sale in the coming days.

SCHEDULEJANUARY

Saturday: Carolina 7:30

21: @Ottawa7:30

22: @Montreal7:30

24: Ottawa7:30

26: Philadelphia7:30

29: @Tampa Bay7:30

31: Winnipeg7:30

FEBRUARY

3: @Buffalo3

5: @Winnipeg8

7: @Philadelphia7

9: @Washington7

12: Washington7:30

14: Montreal7:30

16: Tampa Bay7:30

21: @Philadelphia7

22: @Pittsburgh7

24: Boston3

26: Pittsburgh7:30

28: Buffalo7:30

MARCH

2: @Carolina7

3: Carolina6

5: Winnipeg7:30

7: @Washington7

8: Winnipeg7:30

10: Montreal6

12: Tampa Bay7:30

14: @Boston7

16: N.Y. Islanders7:30

19: @Carolina7

21: @N.Y. Rangers7

23: @New Jersey7

24: @N.Y. Islanders5

26: @Toronto7

28: Buffalo7:30

30: New Jersey7:30

APRIL

2: @Tampa Bay7:30

6: Washington7:30

7: Ottawa6

11: @Winnipeg8

13: Pittsburgh7:30

16: @N.Y. Islanders7

18: @N.Y. Rangers7

20: @New Jersey1

21: @Boston3

23: N.Y. Rangers7:30

25: Toronto7:30

27: @Tampa Bay7