SUNRISE — Breaking onto a veteran-heavy team that recently won multiple championships like the Florida Panthers isn’t easy, especially if you are a youngster such as Sandis Vilmanis.
The rookie forward earned the trust of the Panthers coaching staff over the past few months to land himself a roster spot.
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Wednesday night was a reward for both of them.
In a 5-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, Vilmanis showed some star power, ending the night with two goals and two assists for the first multi-goal, and multi-point game of his burgeoning NHL career.
“It’s a special night, special night that I will remember for sure,” Vilmanis, 22, said postgame. “Especially thanks to the guys — that just kept me going.”
At the 4:43 mark of the first period, Vilmanis opened the scoring after tucking in a cross-crease pass off the rush from Carter Verhaeghe for his second goal of the season.
About midway through the second with the Panthers up 2-0, Vilmanis took a page out of Verhaeghe’s book, firing a pass across the top of the paint to set up Seth Jones for Florida’s third goal of the contest.
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With the Panthers holding onto a 3-2 lead in the third period, Vilmanis rifled a shot short-side past Spencer Knightfor his second goal of the game to put his side up 4-2 and sway the momentum back their way.
“Ever since we got with him, it’s been pretty great to see kind of the change in his game,” Vilmanis’ linemate Sam Reinhart said. “Just a little bit of confidence goes a long way. Especially when you’re kind of fresh in the league. Nothing but positive things to say about him.”
A late Blackhawks goal once again cut the Panthers lead, but Vilmanis was able to chip a puck out of the defensive zone to Reinhart, who put away the empty netter to seal the victory and cap off a 4-point night for the Latvian.
“I didn’t put him on the ice with the goalie out for that idea (to complete a hat trick),” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said.
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“I just thought that line was out best, and I wouldn’t have been suprised at all [if Vilmanis scored]. But he made the right play … taking it up the wall instead of trying to do it.”
Vilmanis is just the third rookie in franchise history to have two goals and four points in a single game (Jonathan Huberdeau in 2013; Jesse Belanger in 1994).
Prior to Wednesday, Vilmanis was yet to have a “break out” game. But that didn’t deter Maurice from putting his youngest player on a line with two elite forwards: Verhaeghe and Reinhart.
“Credit to those two veteran players for really working with him,” Maurice said. “They’ve been very positive with him, encouraging — but also teaching [him].”
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During the injury-riddled 2025-26 season, the Panthers called up Vilmanis in January for his first cup of coffee in the NHL.
Vilmanis, who turned 22 later that month, looked more than capable of playing in the big leagues during his 19-game stint with Florida.
And with impressive showings at the 2026 Winter Olympics and World Championship with Team Latvia, he was all but guaranteed a spot on the Panthers for this season.
“I’ve just been building my game since then” Vilmanis said of his previous experiences at the highest level. “[I’m] just trying to do my best on the ice and help the team win.”
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“It’s a really big veteran team here, but they still welcome me like I’m one of them, and that just really helps.”
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When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
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Where: Capital One Arena; Washington, DC
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Streaming:Panthers+; ESPN+
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Radio: WQAM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM. Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM, NHL App
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This Season — At Washington: Saturday; Nov. 27. At Florida: Feb. 3
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Last Season: Panthers won 3-0
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All-time Regular Season Series: Washington leads 70-49-14, 9 ties
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Up Next for the Panthers: Sunday vs. Boston Bruins, 1 p.m.
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