Spencer Knight played possibly his best game of the season for Florida in the loss

The struggles continued for the Florida Panthers on Monday night in Sunrise.

Florida couldn’t capitalize on their offensive chances on a night both goaltenders played quite well, and the Cats were defeated by a hungry Washington Capitals squad 4-1.

For the second straight game on this homestand it was the Panthers picking up the opening goal.

A smart play by Sam Bennett at the Capitals blue line drew both defenders toward him, only for Bennett to quickly slide the puck to a streaking Niko Mikkola, who beat Logan Thompson over the blocker to give Florida a 1-0 lead exactly seven minutes into the game.

Lars Eller tied the game late in the period after Jakob Chuchrun sent him a perfect cross-zone pass behind Florida’s defense.

Eller beat Spencer Knight between his right arm and body, tying the game at one late in the first.

After logging only four shots on goal during the opening frame, Florida played a much more offensively proficient period during the second, outshooting the Caps 10-8, but neither team could solve the others’ goaltender.

That changed early in the third period with the Capitals on a 5-on-3 advantage when Chychrun sent a long wrist shot over the glove of a screened Knight to give Washington their first lead of the night.

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.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Knight stopped all seven high danger shots sent his way by the Capitals. He finished with 27 saves.

Bennett’s assist on Mikkola’s goal was his first point in three games. He’d racked up 18 points in 18 games beforehand.

Mikkola picked up his first goal of the season, but it was also his tenth point through 21 games. Last season he finished with a career high 17 points, so he’s well on his way toward a new career mark.

Sam Bennett was popped up to Florida’s top power play unit, taking the place of Verhaeghe. 

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