Tom Wilson won't face supplemental discipline for his hit on Panthers forward Sandis Vilmanis, Elliotte Friedman reported this morning.
Wilson was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding in Saturday's 4-3 Capitals win in Washington. Vilmanis did not return.
Gino Hard relayed that Wilson gets no further punishment from the league despite the ejection and Vilmanis being unable to finish the game.
The Capitals' side of the story was clear right after the game. Spencer Carbery pointed to Vilmanis turning at the last second, which we covered in Spencer Carbery's explanation of the hit.
The league's reasoning lines up with that. Andy Strickland explained that the boarding rule includes a provision for a player who turns just prior to contact, and that the league ruled that's what happened here.
Still, a player is ejected, the player he hit doesn't come back, and there isn't even a hearing. Wilson finished the night with 15 penalty minutes, and Vilmanis finished with 2:07 of ice time. That's a hard result for Panthers fans to accept.
Is there any word on Sandis Vilmanis' condition?
No, and the Panthers aren't ready to offer one. Paul Maurice told Katie Engleson that Vilmanis would be looked at by another doctor the next day, but that a real idea probably has to wait until he's back in Florida with the team's own people.
On the hit itself, Maurice said, "I'll leave that to the Department of Player safety." The Department has now answered.
There is no diagnosis to report, and we won't guess at one. You can read Paul Maurice's first Vilmanis update from Saturday for where things stood after the game.
Whatever the news turns out to be, the Panthers lose a 22-year-old who has 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in 16 games this season.
The Panthers can't dwell on any of it for long. They play in Boston tonight, still on the road, and the Bruins lead the Atlantic at 12-4-1 and have won 3 straight. Florida is 9-6-2 and coming off the loss in Washington.
Vilmanis' full picture probably waits until the team gets home.
Quick hits
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETSDenton Mateychuk left practice early after being hit by a puck during a drill, Brian Hedger reported. No word yet on how serious it is.
CALGARY FLAMESDevin Cooley is reportedly back in goal tonight as the Flames host the Flyers. It's his return start.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSThe Maple Leafs recalled Cole McWard and sent Vinni Lettieri back to the Marlies ahead of tonight's game against the Devils.
WINNIPEG JETSJosh Morrissey isn't ready to return, so the Jets host the Lightning tonight without him. Another night short on the blue line.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNINGNikita Kucherov's 20 shot attempts in Minnesota last night tied a Lightning franchise record, Benjamin Jones reported this morning.
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