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Tom Wilson avoids suspension ahead of Panthers’ Black Friday rematch

Tom Wilson avoids a suspension for his hit on Sandis Vilmanis. The Capitals visit Tampa on Nov. 17, then host the Panthers again on Black Friday.
ByDaria Mironova
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Nov 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) reacts after being called for a major penalty against the Florida Panthers during the first period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Nov 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) reacts after being called for a major penalty against the Florida Panthers during the first period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Tom Wilson will avoid a suspension for the hit that injured Florida Panthers forward Sandis Vilmanis.

In fact, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Wilson would face no further discipline after officials ejected him from Washington’s 4-3 win on Nov. 7.

Moreover, the Panthers will see the Capitals again on Black Friday, back in the same building.

The 32-year-old Wilson hit Vilmanis from behind, sending him into the boards less than nine minutes into the first period. The officials gave Wilson a five-minute boarding major and a game misconduct. Brady Tkachuk scored on the following power play to put Florida ahead 2-1. The 22-year-old Latvian forward left the ice and never returned. 

A Florida trip and a Black Friday doorbuster

The schedule takes a funny turn. Washington flies to the Sunshine State to play the Lightning in Tampa on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Ten days later, the Panthers return to DC. They’ll play the Capitals at Capital One Arena at 3 p.m. ET on Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving.  This schedule doesn't make sense since the Ovechkin's squad will visit Tampa a second time this season but won't make a trip to Sunrise.

What is it with Wilson and Florida’s NHL teams?

Wilson logged 45 penalty minutes through his first 15 games, and 27 of them came against the Lightning and Panthers. He took a roughing minor and a 10-minute misconduct in Tampa Bay’s Oct. 3 home opener, ending his night with 2:05 left.

The boarding major and game misconduct against Florida added another 15 minutes to his season total. So, what is it with Tom Wilson and Florida teams?

What we know about Vilmanis

Sandis Vilmanis missed Sunday’s game in Boston. The NHL's website listed him with an upper-body injury, and the Associated Press listed him as day-to-day on Monday. Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Saturday that the team might need to wait until its medical staff in Florida could examine Vilmanis to get a clearer picture. The Panthers have yet to announce when he’ll return. 

The Capitals will have seven games before hosting the two-time Stanley Cup champions again. 

With six NHL suspensions on his record, Wilson still has plenty of time to give Player Safety another reason to call before Black Friday.

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