The defending Stanley Cup champions take on the best team in the NHL on Thursday night, as the Florida Panthers pay a visit to the Colorado Avalanche in a marquee matchup.

Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn returned to full practice before the NFC South clash with the Saints in Week 15.

Expert recap and game analysis of the Colorado Avalanche vs. Florida Panthers NHL game from December 11, 2025 on ESPN.

The Florida Panthers visit the Colorado Avalanche after Sam Bennett scored two goals in the Panthers' 4-3 win against the Utah Mammoth

Cale Makar will pepper the Panthers' net with shots tonight, per our NHL expert picks. Free Panthers vs. Avalanche predictions for Thursday, December 11, 2025.

The Colorado Avalanche honored the Stanley Cup champions from 30 years ago, then the current club worked over the two-time defending champs.

The Panthers can still make the playoffs via the Wild Card, but it’ll be a lot harder as there are four teams ahead of them with at least eight wins. The best shot is by winning their division, something that they haven’t done in 10 seasons.

Brock Nelson, Sam Malinski, and Gavin Brindley also each had a goal and had an assist, and Artturi Lehkonen and Gabriel Landeskog each scored a goal for the Avalanche (22-2-7), who have won 10 straight games on home ice. Josh Manson had two assists and Mackenzie Blackwood made 23 saves.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It's a no-brainer that the Carolina Panthers will pick up the fifth-year option on quarterback Bryce Young during the offseason, just like the other eight NFL quarterbacks who were drafted No. 1 between 2011, when the league implemented the fifth-year option for first-round picks, and 2023, when Young was taken with the top pick.

The Florida Panthers returned to their winning ways over the weekend, but now they'll be put to the test on a challenging and important four-game road trip.