Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was not on the ice for the team’s first practice since their lopsided loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.
Per NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti, the team announced that Wilson was missing out for personal reasons.
Wilson played in both games of the Capitals’ recent back-to-back against the Ottawa Senators and Red Wings. He skated 18:57 of ice time in the 8-3 loss to Detroit.
“Obviously, not good enough,” Wilson said postgame. “They are crucial points at a big time of year. There’s nothing to digest. It’s not good enough. Next game’s big. We’ve just got to get grinding forward but this one is disappointing for sure.”
The big winger represented the Capitals at this season’s All-Star Game in his hometown of Toronto and he has played in all but one of the team’s 58 games. Wilson has recorded 24 points (13g, 11a) in those 57 outings.
His only spell out of the lineup came after he broke his nose in early January. Head coach Spencer Carbery was not sure of Wilson’s status for Friday night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
“Hopefully, [he’ll be available],” Carbery said. “But, I don’t know.”
According to Monumental Sports Network’s Tarik El-Bashir, due to Wilson’s absence at Thursday’s skate, rookie forward Ivan Miroshnichenko filled in on the right wing of the top line during line rushes. Miroshnichenko was recalled by the club earlier this week after TJ Oshie was placed on injured reserve.
Wilson has had a rough start to the 2024 calendar year. In 24 games since New Year’s, he has recorded just six points (3g, 3a). In his last 16 games, he has just one goal.
