Tom Wilson has played in 224 career NHL games. He has never scored a game-winning goal.
Monday night at Verizon Center, that changed due to some hard work and good luck. 3:46 into the third period, the fourth line forced a turnover in the defensive zone. Daniel Winnik put a shot on net. Wilson and Mike Richards crashed the net. As Richards drew a Blue Jacket’s attention in the crease, Wilson, wide open, backhanded the rebound past Sergei Bobrovski as he fell to his knees.
For his celly, the fourth-line Wilson let out a roar, I guess, because he likes tigers.
“You see teams that have won the Cup in the past have four lines that can play,” Wilson said after the game. “They can just roll them and not worry about who the other team is playing. You’re confident that your lines one through four are going to get the job done. That’s something that as a fourth line we’re going to continue to work on, making sure Barry has 100% trust in us.”
Wilson’s goal also sent one Caps fan into a dancing frenzy. Look at her air punch. That is true happiness!
The goal would clinch the Presidents’ Trophy for the Caps. Wilson scored the goal front of his older brother, Peter, who was in town for his younger brother’s birthday Tuesday.
First goal I see T score live at Verizon is the GWG to clinch the Presidents Trophy. 22 points for his 22nd. #CapsJackets #thisteam
— Peter Wilson (@petewilson1989) March 29, 2016
Wilson, much like Barry Trotz, was not impressed with his team’s new accomplishment.
“No one remembers who won the President’s Trophy,” Wilson said. “We’re happy we did it in front of the best fans of the league. At the end of the day we have a lot of work to do. We gotta continue to play smart hockey. We’re not exactly where we want to be, but hopefully we’ll get there.”
tfw when your team has home-ice advantage during the #StanleyCup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/pFdfP5f5IV
— NHL (@NHL) March 29, 2016
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