Originally selected by the Panthers in the fifth round (157 th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Vilmanis, who won't turn 22 until Jan. 23, is currently tied for first in scoring on the Charlotte Checkers with 19 points (8G, 11A).

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Gustav Forsling and Carter Verhaeghe each had a goal and an assist, and the Florida Panthers beat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on Saturday night. Evan Rodrigues also scored for the Panthers, and Sergei Bobrovsky had 18 saves. Florida snapped a two-game skid and got its second win in six games (2-3-1).

Our Panthers vs. Senators predictions believe Jake Sanderson will secure another assist tonight. Free NHL picks for Saturday.

Gustav Forsling and Carter Verhaeghe each had a goal and an assist to lead the Florida Panthers to a 3-2 win over the struggling Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.

Artem Zub took two penalties and got cross-checked face first into the boards, Tim Stutzle had a serious case of indecision, and Merilainen struggled again to give Ottawa what it needed in net.

BOTTOM LINE: The Ottawa Senators will try to end a three-game skid when they take on the Florida Panthers. Ottawa is 5-4-3 against the Atlantic Division and 20-18-5 overall. The Senators are 19-7-1 in games they score three or more goals.

The Buffalo Sabres (24-15-4, sixth in the Eastern Conference) host the Florida Panthers (23-18-3, 12th) in conference action on Monday at 7 p.m. ET. Buffalo earned a 5-3 home victory over the Anaheim Ducks its last time out on Jan. 10.

Special teams shine as the Panthers battled back from an early deficit, securing a vital divisional victory in Ottawa.