RMNB just shared Tom Wilson's explanation for boarding Sandis Vilmanis, and he says he reached out to the Panthers' locker room.
Wilson was ejected for boarding Vilmanis in Washington on Saturday, and the Capitals went on to beat Florida 4-3.
RMNB relayed that Wilson described the play as “I was trying to make a north-south hit.”
According to RMNB, Wilson also said he contacted Florida's locker room after the game. His words: “I hope he's good, wish him well.”
That is a measured tone from a player who finished the game with the ejection hanging over him. It is also the first time we have heard Wilson's side of it.
Our Tom Wilson ejection for boarding story covered the five-minute major on the day. Since then we have also heard from Paul Maurice, who gave his first update on Vilmanis, and from Spencer Carbery, who explained the hit from the Capitals' side.
A north-south hit is a fine thing to try. When the other player is facing the boards, it is a boarding major, and the officials made that call and sent Wilson to the room. Wishing a player well afterward does not change what the replay is going to show.
Does Wilson's explanation change anything for Florida?
Not on the discipline front. Elliotte Friedman reported Sunday that no supplemental discipline for Tom Wilson was coming, so the ejection is the only punishment he gets. The explanation arrives after the ruling, not before it.
We have no status on Vilmanis from the desk, and nothing here suggests he is out. What the Panthers know is that they lost that game, then lost 4-1 in Boston on Sunday, and now sit on a two-game skid.
Losing Vilmanis for any stretch would sting a lineup that is leaning on him. The 22-year-old winger has 3 goals and 4 assists in 16 games this season, already more points than he had in the 19 games he played before it.
Florida gets a chance to reset Tuesday at Columbus, where the Blue Jackets are 6-3-0 at home. The Panthers will want that skid to stop at two.
Quick hits
NEW YORK RANGERSDylan Garand gets the Rangers nod in Edmonton tonight. A young goalie in a tough building, so it's worth watching how he handles it.
VANCOUVER CANUCKSLeevi Merilainen went through starter's drills at Canucks morning skate ahead of the Flyers tonight, per Jeff Paterson, with the skid at five.
EDMONTON OILERSRyan Nugent-Hopkins is good to go tonight against the Rangers, per RotoWire, after skating with a full bubble visor. Good news for Edmonton.
WINNIPEG JETSMitchell Clinton reports Nico Daws worked in the starter's net at Jets practice today. That is a hint worth tracking before the next puck drop.
NEW JERSEY DEVILSThe Devils announced they've recalled forward Riley Tufte from Utica (AHL). Anthony Mantha is hurt and the team is short up front.
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