Jameson Olive reports that Tom Wilson could face supplemental discipline for his hit on Panthers winger Sandis Vilmanis.
Wilson got a 5-minute major and a game misconduct this afternoon in Washington, and Olive said he would "expect some supplemental discipline as well." The league has not announced any decision.
Sammi Silber, who covers the Capitals, sees the play differently. She argues the whole thing happened inside one second, that Wilson was committed to contact while Vilmanis faced forward, and that Vilmanis turned at the last minute with no time left to stop.
Florida's tone is far more cautious. Coach Paul Maurice said Vilmanis will be looked at by another doctor tomorrow, but the team probably has to wait until he's back in Florida before it has "a real good idea."
There is no diagnosis and no timeline.
On the hit itself, Maurice told Katie Engleson he would stay out of it: "I'll leave that to the Department of Player Safety."
Florida's forward depth thins before Boston
Vilmanis has 3 goals and 4 assists in 16 games this season. He was a regular part of the group before this afternoon, which makes any absence felt.
Anton Lundell is also day-to-day, so the Panthers could be short up front when they visit Boston on Sunday. The Bruins are 12-4-1, have won three straight and are 7-1-0 at home. Florida left Washington with a 4-3 loss.
The Washington version of events got an early airing when Spencer Carbery explained the hit. The late turn makes this a hard call for Player Safety. But with 1694 career penalty minutes, Wilson walks into any review carrying his history.
Florida learns more once Vilmanis is back home and seen by its own doctors. Until the league speaks, the Panthers face Boston Sunday with that question still open.
Quick hits
LOS ANGELES KINGSAlex Turcotte is back. The Kings activated him from injured reserve and he's set to play tonight against the Penguins.
NEW JERSEY DEVILSJake Allen gets the start tonight at the Islanders. The Devils confirmed it, so it's not Connor Hellebuyck or David Rittich.
NASHVILLE PREDATORSA 3-1 win over the Blues in the NHL Network showcase. The game turned in the second period, when Nashville stopped chasing and started smothering.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINSEvgeni Malkin is on the top line with Sidney Crosby in the projected lineup tonight in Los Angeles. Hard to complain about that look.
BUFFALO SABRESJack Rathbone cleared waivers, so no team claimed the defenseman. He stays with Buffalo for now.
Latest Stories
Trade Rumor: Florida picks are in play for BlackhawksTHE PANTHERS NEED AN ANSWER IN COLUMBUSAaron Portzline just flagged how many goals the Panthers have been leaking: 16 allowed over their last four games, with Columbus up next.
Panthers carry a two-game skid into ColumbusCOLUMBUS GETS BAD NEWS BEFORE PANTHERS GAMERick Bowness just ruled Conor Garland out for Tuesday night's Blue Jackets game against the Panthers, per DMaetzMedia.
Lineup Change: Blue Jackets lose Garland vs PanthersWILSON FINALLY SPEAKS ABOUT SATURDAYRMNB just shared Tom Wilson's explanation for boarding Sandis Vilmanis, and he says he reached out to the Panthers' locker room.
Tom Wilson explains his boarding hit on Sandis VilmanisBOSTON HAS PICKED ITS NEW ENEMYBrady Tkachuk and the Panthers left Boston with a 4-1 loss Sunday, and now Bruins media are calling Florida their most hated team.
Panthers have become the Bruins' most hated teamTHE PANTHERS HAVE A SCHEDULE PROBLEMGeorge Richards pointed out this morning that the Panthers' nine wins come with a catch: four of them were against the Jets and Blackhawks.
Panthers' nine wins come with a catchA BIG DAY FOR THE TKACHUK FAMILYMatthew Tkachuk and his brother Brady are celebrating their father Keith's Hall of Fame induction, and the Panthers forwards call it legacy.
Tkachuk brothers celebrate Keith's Hall of Fame momentTHINGS GOT UGLY IN BOSTONBrady Tkachuk dropped the gloves with Nikita Zadorov off the opening draw Sunday, and the Panthers' night in Boston only got uglier.
Brady Tkachuk starts a wild night at TD Garden