Tom Wilson drew back into the lineup against the Edmonton Oilers, returning to play after sitting out Monday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
The Caps gave few details on Wilson’s absence at the time, but TNT analyst Shane Hnidy shed some light on the situation during Wednesday night’s broadcast.
Wilson’s injury apparently came thanks to a high stick from Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ryan Graves last Thursday. Though he was still able to play at the time, a later infection kept him out against Winnipeg four days later.
Hnidy offered the explanation during Wednesday night’s broadcast against Edmonton.
“Got injured taking Ryan Graves’ stick up high,” he explained. “Led to a cut and then an infection. (He’s) certainly welcome back. Really the heartbeat of this team the way he plays, some physical force. Add the offense he can bring.”
Play-by-play announcer Brendan Burke later described Wilson’s injury as an “eye issue.”
Though he was able to play Wednesday, Wilson’s left cheek and eye remained visibly swollen during his postgame interview.
Graves’ high stick left Wilson bloodied, drawing a double minor but forcing Wilson down the tunnel for repairs. Wilson received several stitches but returned less than half a period later.
Postgame, he dedicated the victory to his grandfather, who had passed away that afternoon.
Wilson stayed in the lineup through the weekend, scoring a goal and playing 17:28 against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. He missed morning skate Monday — labeled as a maintenance day at the time — and did not play against the Jets that night.
The game marked Wilson’s second absence all season–he last sat out with a broken nose on January 11 against the Seattle Kraken.
Spencer Carbery told reporters Wednesday morning that Wilson would be a game-time decision, and the Capitals confirmed that afternoon that he would play. He joined Nic Dowd and Martin Fehervary as one of three players rejoining the lineup against the Oilers.
