The Washington Capitals saw one of their top players leave their 8-3 blowout victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins early.
Tom Wilson was forced out of the game in the third period due to a a cross-check to the ribs from Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves while the Capitals were on a 5-on-3 power play. On-ice mics appeared to pick up Wilson’s reaction to the check (a loud expletive). The Capitals’ right wing finished his shift, and received a massage from head athletic trainer Jason Serbus. Wilson was only able to take two more short shifts on the ice before leaving for the locker room with 9:10 remaining in regulation.
When asked for an update post-game, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery told the Washington Post’s Bailey Johnson that the team has a “little bit” of concern regarding Wilson’s availability for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Edmonton Oilers at 1 pm.
“We’ll evaluate him tonight,” Carbery said. “I don’t think it’s anything crazy, but we’ll evaluate him tonight.”
Wilson scored his 25th goal of the season in the second period, a new single-season career high. He received 12:17 of ice and had four hits.
Wilson now has 43 points (25g, 18a) in 56 games this season. He is nine points shy of tying his single-season career-high in scoring, 52 points (24g, 28a), set during the 2021-22 campaign.
