The Panthers made it to the first intermission tied despite getting largely outplayed largely because of one player: Defensemen Niko Mikkola, who scored Florida’s only goal and prevented another. Mikkola lit the lamp for the first time in 2024-2025 exactly seven minutes into the game, cashing in a perfect pass from Sam Bennett on an odd-man rush.

Both Knight and Thompson played spectacular during the third period, keeping the score the same until Washington scored a pair of empty-net goals in the final 90 seconds. That’s six losses in seven for the Cats. On to the Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.

The Florida Panthers continue their pre-Thanksgiving homestand with another challenging opponent on Monday. Florida has lost five of their past six games and will now welcome the Washington Capitals to Sunrise.