Tom Wilson is one of the most physical players in the NHL and he made his presence felt immediately in the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Wilson leveled Mikhail Sergachev with a clean shoulder-to-shoulder hit into the glass. Sergachev would need help getting off the ice and would miss the rest of the first period.
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The play happened at the 9:31 mark. As Sergachev forechecked, he turned his shoulder at the last second as Wilson drove his shoulder into him.
The result was Sergachev being smashed into the boards. He crumpled to the ice and needed help getting up.
The Capitals, including Wilson, gave Sergachev stick taps from the bench.
Sergachev missed the rest of the first period but was able to return for the second, taking a swirl on the ice before deciding to return.
Mikhail Sergachev is taking a twirl around on the ice as the second period is set to begin. #Bolts #WSHvsTBL
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) March 17, 2019
Wilson’s play in the first period got rave reviews from Hockey Hall of Famer Phil Esposito. NBC Sports Washington’s Craig Laughlin spoke to the former player during the first intermission and this is what he had to say.
“I want him on my team. If I had a team, he would be there,” Esposito said. “He’s a guy that doesn’t slow up on any hit. He best reminds me of Wayne Cashman.”
