NHL overnight: Bļugers and Toronto face Minnesota, Girgensons back on the ice a night later

Three clubs with Latvian players are in action in the National Hockey League (NHL) overnight into Friday. The first two games start at 02:00 Riga time, with the Florida game half an hour later.

Bļugers: Toronto try to end a slump

Teodors Bļugers and the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Minnesota Wild, one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference. Toronto are going through a difficult spell, with one win in their last seven games, and lost 6-3 at home to the Colorado Avalanche overnight into Wednesday. Bļugers had two shots on goal in that game.

Girgensons: two games in two days

Zemgus Girgensons and the Tampa Bay Lightning play for the second night running. On the previous night Tampa Bay beat the Sabres 8-3 in Buffalo, where Girgensons spent most of his career, and the Latvian played around 18 minutes, more than in any other game this season.

Next up are the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are bottom of the Eastern Conference. Columbus lost 4-1 at home to Florida overnight into Wednesday, while Tampa Bay are second in the Atlantic Division.

Florida: Balinskis fighting for a place, Vilmanis still out

The Florida Panthers host the Detroit Red Wings at 02:30. Defenceman Uvis Balinskis is a rotation player, and Florida beat Columbus without either Latvian. Forward Sandis Vilmanis is still not ready to return, and there is no word yet on when he will be back.

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