Niko Mikkola Fined For Questionable Penalty

In the dying seconds of Sunday’s Florida Panthers vs. Montreal Canadiens game, things went sideways, resulting in mayhem on the ice. Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a 10-minute misconduct for shooting the puck down the ice at Montreal goaltender Sam Montembeault.

Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for unsportsmanlike conduct during NHL Game No. 1170 in Florida on Sunday, March 30, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today

After the announcement, NHL fans are questioning if this was even a penalty to begin with. While the play could be argued either way, the Department of Player Safety did not release any explanation.

ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing – Inside The Rink

Join Conrad and Chris as the discuss Gavin McKenna making the jump to the NCAA, Pittsburgh and San Jose making additions, and the NHL season to begin on October 7, 2025.

1. ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing 32:56
2. ITR 46: Offseason Chaos 24:53
3. ITR 45: Everything Is Happening 37:46
4. ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again 56:17
5. ITR 43: It's Winning Time 39:10