Damon Severson gave Columbus a 1-0 lead at 7:40 of the first period with a power-play goal. Evan Rodrigues tied it 1-1 at 9:47, waiting out Merzlikins after Mackie Samoskevich forced a turnover at the half wall and slid the puck to him.

The Florida Panthers entered the weekend having lost five consecutive home games, their longest stretch of futility on home ice since 2020. They ended their homestand with consecutive wins, a pair of needed victories they hope can be the beginning of a much-needed turnaround.