On November 4, Tom Wilson scored two goals against the Boston Bruins, his first tallies of the season. That night seemed important – as if Wilson was taking another step towards finally realizing his offensive potential.
Since then, however, Wilson has not been able to repeat the production, so he’s been using his hands more for punching than for scoring, collecting three fighting majors in his last four games. And I’m sure if the moment would have been right on Friday, he would have also face-punched Ryan Reaves.
Wilson’s latest fight occurred Sunday night against Edmonton Oilers forward Patrick Maroon. It was a long fight that ended in a draw.
Fisticuffs @tom_wilso #CapsOilers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/eeF9RYElNY
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 13, 2017
The marathon bout lasted 56 seconds. Wilson threw nearly a dozen counter-punches but was landed only a few good shots. The most useful part of Wilson’s decision to throw hands was taking one of the Oilers’ better players off the ice with him.
The dustup was set in motion after the Maroon and Wilson exchanged matching roughing penalties earlier in the first period.
Wilson landed a punch while the two were awkwardly tangled up on the ice.
As soon as they left the box, they dropped the gloves.
Wilson has fought five times in 14 games this season. He has been suspended six games (preseason and regular season). Last year, Wilson dropped his mitts just nine times in 82 games.
If Wilson is going to turn into a player who’s more than a sideshow, he’s going to have to be on the ice. Wilson is a good penalty killer, but since arriving in the league in 2013, he hasn’t done much else.
Knuckle Sammies! 👊 #CapsOilers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/cY3zpQkvH0
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 13, 2017
Update 9:15 pm: Tom Wilson was not in the penalty box during the third period and assisted on Dmitry Orlov’s game-tying goal.
SCOARLOV! Dmitry Orlov ties the game at 1 after Tom Wilson hits him with the give and go pic.twitter.com/hLmfQeYLHn
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) November 13, 2017
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