It appears all the wrestling with Tom Wilson has paid off.

Sunday night at Nationwide Arena, a feisty Andre Burakovsky stood up for his goaltender after a Blue Jackets player took a few too many whacks at a frozen puck.

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Let me set the scene. The Blue Jackets were behind 2-0 after the Capitals scored twice in less than two minutes. Columbus was desperate for a spark so they decided to mess with the Holtbeast.

After a teammate fired a shot at the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson poked Holtby to try and jimmy the puck free.

Instead he summoned Angry Andre.

After shoving Anderson several times, Burakovsky found himself entangled with Blue Jackets defenseman Scott Harrington. As everyone else was calming down, Burakovsky and Harrington were just getting started. The two skaters threw several gloved punches at each other.

Look at the malice in Burakovsky’s eyes.

I’m sad to report, however, that the former teen model would not be whistled for fighting (or even a roughing penalty). This is unfortunate because after scoring a goal and registering an assist on a Matt Niskanen tally, Burakovsky was one fighting major away from his first career Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

Sigh.

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