RECAP: Seattle Kraken 2, Florida Panthers 1

The Florida Panthers drop their first game back from the 4 Nations break without Matthew Tkachuk in the lineup.

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Matthew Tkachuk-less Florida Panthers fell 2-1 to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night

Jared McCann scored the game-winning goal 7:03 into the third period while Joey Daccord helped the Kraken hold onto the lead with 26 saves.

Kappo Kakko opened the scoring for Seattle on the power play 6:32 into the game. He slipped behind the Florida defense and stuffed a backhand shot past Sergei Bobrovsky after the Panthers failed to clear the puck late in the man advantage.

Eetu Luostarinen tied the game for Florida with 8:23 to go in the second period, tapping in a backhand feed from Anton Lundell at the net-front.

Mackie Samoskevich appeared to give the Panthers the lead with 3:05 to go in the second period, but the goal was taken off the board after a successful goaltender interference challenge by Seattle coach Dan Bylsma.

Per the NHL, Evan Rodrigues’ presence in the crease and his contact with Daccord’s stick impaired his ability to play his position prior to Samoskevich’s goal. Rodrigues was pressured by ex-Panther Josh Mahura into said crease, but it was ruled that he was there on his own volition.

McCann put the Kraken ahead early in the third period after Adam Larsson found him wide open with a feed around a downed Nate Schmidt. He then sent a wrist shot past Bobrovsky for his 15th goal of the season.

The Panthers sustained just their second loss in their past six games, as they finished 4-1-0 heading into the 4 Nations break. They remain one point ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs for first place in the Atlantic Division.