Balinskis Left Out as Vilmanis Set to Face Ottawa Senators
The Florida Panthers bring defenseman Radko Gudas back into the NHL lineup for the game against the Ottawa Senators, while Latvian Uvis Balinskis is held out. Latvian forward Sandis Vilmanis stays on the third line.
The Florida Panthers of the NHL, North America's top professional hockey league, will make a lineup change for their game against the Ottawa Senators. Latvian defenseman Uvis Balinskis is set to sit out, and his place goes to the recovered Czech defenseman Radko Gudas. Latvian forward Sandis Vilmanis is expected to play as planned.
Gudas returns
The 36-year-old Gudas missed the previous three games because of an injury. He has now recovered and will play on the third defensive pairing, replacing Balinskis. According to a journalist's report, head coach Paul Maurice decided to change the lineup, even though the team won its previous game against the Seattle Kraken by a convincing 8-3.
Balinskis has collected one point in six games this season. In the last game against the Kraken, he provided an assist on Sam Bennett's hat-trick, meaning three goals scored in one game.
Vilmanis stays in his usual trio
The day before the game, Vilmanis skated in practice alongside the Finnish forwards Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen. In nine games this season, the Latvian has recorded one assist.
A special opponent
The meeting with Ottawa will be a notable one for Florida, because forward Brady Tkachuk was captain of the Senators in previous years. In the summer he secured a move to the team of his older brother Matthew, the Florida Panthers.
