Tom Wilson will not receive any supplemental discipline for boarding Sandis Vilmanis during the Capitals’ 4-3 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety has decided not to suspend Wilson for the hit that drew a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct.
Wilson was kicked out of the contest just 8:55 into the first period after his hit drove Vilmanis into the glass and forced the Latvian forward out with an injury.
After the game, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice deferred comment on the hit to the league’s disciplinary department, while the Capitals’ Spencer Carbery defended his alternate captain’s intentions.
“The way that I saw it – [Vilmanis] turns, and Willy’s committed to making contact,” Carbery said. “Everything looks fine, everything looks fine, everything looks fine; he spins on the wall play, normally nine times out of ten that’s no big deal, and nothing happens.”
Wilson has been suspended six different times in his career, with his most recent ban coming on March 20, 2024, after high-sticking Toronto Maple Leafs forward Noah Gregor. Wilson was suspended for six games.
The 32-year-old winger’s last hit-related suspension came on March 6, 2021, when he boarded Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo. He was suspended for seven games then.
