Florida Panthers forward Sandis Vilmanis left Wednesday night’s game against the Boston Bruins with an upper-body injury, the team confirmed. The injury came on a play that had Vilmanis delivering a high hit to Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy - a hit that drew a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head.
McAvoy, to his credit, stayed in the game. Vilmanis, however, did not return.
It’s an unfortunate setback for the 20-year-old winger, who’s just starting to get his feet under him at the NHL level. A fifth-round pick in 2022 (No. 157 overall), Vilmanis has been called into action this season as the Panthers deal with a wave of injuries up front. He’s appeared in 13 games with the big club so far, tallying two goals and two assists - not a bad start for a young forward still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the league.
Before his call-up, Vilmanis was making noise with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, where he’s posted 19 points in 31 games. That production, combined with his versatility, earned him a spot on Latvia’s roster for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. It’s a big opportunity for the young winger to showcase his game on an international stage - and scouts have taken notice.
He’s not just a goal scorer. Vilmanis brings a well-rounded game that includes penalty-killing chops and a willingness to do the dirty work.
He’s got decent wheels, a strong work ethic, and the kind of versatility that coaches love in tournament play. He’s also no stranger to international competition, having previously suited up for Latvia at both the U18 and U20 World Junior Championships.
As for Wednesday’s matchup, it was a big one in the Atlantic Division - and the Eastern Conference playoff picture at large. The Panthers, reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup champs, came in trailing the Bruins by nine points for the second wild card spot. Florida built a two-goal lead, but Boston clawed back in the third period to force overtime and steal a point before heading into the Olympic break.
The Panthers, meanwhile, don’t have much time to lick their wounds. They’re back at it Thursday night in the second half of a back-to-back against the Tampa Bay Lightning - another divisional test in what’s shaping up to be a critical stretch of their season.