Tom Wilson was ejected this afternoon after a 5-minute boarding major on Sandis Vilmanis, PuckReportNHL reports, with the Panthers playing at Washington.
Earlier today, Sammi Silber reported that Sandis Vilmanis was helped off the ice after going down on the hit. Trainers attended to him, and the officials huddled to decide on a call.
They made one, and it was a big one. PuckReportNHL says the Capitals forward was issued a 5-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding Vilmanis.
The Panthers have not given an update on Vilmanis. His status for the rest of the game is unknown, and there is no word on any diagnosis.
The timing stings. Vilmanis has 3 goals and 4 assists in 15 games this season, and on Wednesday he had four points in the win over Chicago.
Florida can't absorb many more bodies on the sidelines. Anton Lundell is out today and day-to-day, while Aleksander Barkov is listed on IR with a knee injury and is expected to be out until at least Nov. 27. Brad Marchand is listed on IR as well, until at least Nov. 21, and Paul Maurice's Barkov and Marchand timelines already looked like a long road.
What Wilson's exit means for Florida
Wilson is gone for the night, so the Panthers play the rest of the game against a Washington team without him. They also get a full five minutes on the power play, where Brady Tkachuk has 3 goals and 7 assists this season.
Washington gave that up while sitting on a two-game losing streak. Wilson already had 30 penalty minutes through 14 games, and a boarding major on a 22-year-old winger is the kind of play that leaves his team shorthanded in every sense.
Florida arrived at 9-5-2, fifth in the Atlantic Division. The standings matter less right now than the update that is still missing on Vilmanis.
Quick hits
NASHVILLE PREDATORSJuuse Saros gets the start tonight against the Blues, NHL Media confirmed. Joel Hofer is in the other crease, so it's a straight goalie duel.
DALLAS STARSBruce LeVine reports that Glen Gulutzan confirmed Jake Oettinger in net against San Jose tonight. No surprise there.
EDMONTON OILERSVasily Podkolzin stays on Connor McDavid's wing against the Canucks, according to beat writer Jack Michaels. That's a vote of confidence from the coaching staff.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSThe Canadiens confirmed that Jacob Fowler starts tonight against the Maple Leafs. Owen Beck is back in and Josh Anderson is out.
ST. LOUIS BLUESLou Korac reports that Joel Hofer starts in goal for the Blues today in Nashville. The Saros matchup is set.
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