Vilmanis returns to Florida Panthers line-up after two games out injured

Florida Panthers forward Sandis Vilmanis will return on Thursday night, head coach Paul Maurice confirmed, according to Jameson Olive of the club’s official website. Florida host the Detroit Red Wings, with the puck dropping at 02:30 Riga time on Friday.

Vilmanis will play on the third line with the Finnish forwards Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen.

The Latvian was hurt in Washington on 7 November, when Capitals forward Tom Wilson hit him from behind into the boards in the first period. Vilmanis did not return to that game and missed the next two, in Boston and Columbus. Wilson received a five-minute major and a game misconduct, but the NHL did not suspend him.

After the game in Washington, Maurice said the severity of the injury would only be clear after tests in Florida. The club has not made a diagnosis public, and the NHL listed Vilmanis with an undisclosed injury.