Over the past several years, there has never seemed to be a shortage of fireworks when the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins get together.
Between multiple playoff series’, big hits, fines, suspensions and Brad Marchand switching sides, there has been plenty to fuel the fire between these two divisional rivals.
In that regard, the latest meeting between the Cats and Bruins did not disappoint.
During the first period of Florida’s 5-4 shootout win over Boston on Wednesday night in Sunrise, Panthers rookie Sandis Vilmanis caught Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy with what appeared to be a straight elbow to the head.
As McAvoy was carrying the puck out of Boston’s zone, Vilmanis came across the ice and then slowed down just before making contact. He then turned and braced his body, raising himself up and catching McAvoy in the side of his face with force.
Charlie McAvoy goes down the tunnel after a high & late hit from Sandis Vilmanis
— NESN (@NESN) February 5, 2026
(📹 @NHL_On_TNT) pic.twitter.com/PZXjVEFJdU
Vilmanis was issued a two-minute minor penalty for an illegal check to the head while McAvoy was helped off the ice, though fortunately he was able to return to the game.
McAvoy will also represent Team USA at the Winter Olympics this month.
On Friday night, McAvoy decided to take to social media and make a little statement about the hit.
In a post on X, McAvoy sent out the video of the hit side-by-side with a photo of the swollen face he’s been left with as a result of said hit.
— Charlie McAvoy (@CMcAvoy44) February 7, 2026
There was no comment to go along with the video and photo.
The perception is that McAvoy isn’t happy that the NHL Department of Player Safety did not decide to issue any supplemental discipline to Vilmanis for the hit.
No fine. No suspension. Just the initial two-minute minor, which actually didn’t even help the Bruins, as Boston was called for a pair of minors on the same play, one for roughing up Vilmanis and one bench minor for unsportsmanlike conduct.
While many fans are quick to take McAvoy’s side, others are calling out a player who has also handed out his share of controversial hits.
That includes several against the Panthers, like these two that occurred in the same game.
Charlie McAvoy is given a match penalty for this hit on Oliver Ekman-Larsson. pic.twitter.com/pZx16EXupZ
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) October 31, 2023
When asked about the hit by Charlie McAvoy on Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Paul Maurice said, "I thought it was exactly like the hit on Verhaeghe in the first."
— David Dwork (@DavidDwork) October 31, 2023
Here's that hit. McAvoy had himself some night. pic.twitter.com/HhTKP7TAXk
Look, this is hockey.
These things, for better or worse, are part of the game.
Thankfully, McAvoy did not suffer anything major or long-term, and he will be able to live out a childhood dream and put on a United States jersey at an Olympic Games.
Sure, he might have to wear a fishbowl for part of it, but that’s hockey too.
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Photo caption: Feb 4, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) is helped off the ice by right wing David Pastrnak (88) after an apparent injury against the Florida Panthers during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)