Tom Wilson was briefly in possession of a priceless souvenir during Game 1 of the Washington Capitals’ second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Late in the third period, Wilson messed with Sebastian Aho after a whistle, stealing the mouthguard hanging out of the Hurricanes forward’s mouth.
Wilson’s sly approach, jersey tug, and eventual yoink are classic here. The Capitals enforcer was likely trying to get Aho to retaliate and goad him into a penalty with the two teams tied with 6:38 remaining in regulation.
Wilson kept the mouthguard temporarily but was eventually forced to give it back after Aho complained. Linesman Trent Knorr ushered Wilson, like he was a naughty eight-year-old who knew he had done a bad thing, to the lead official where the exchange was made.
Three different people handled Aho’s mouthguard, so I hope he soaks that thing in extra soapy disinfectant after the game.
Wilson’s mouthguard-stealing comes after he was his Most Pest-y Self in the first round against the Montreal Canadiens. Wilson got in a bench brawl with Josh Anderson, did a viral crybaby taunt at the Habs, and had a series-altering hit on Alexandre Carrier.
Wilson and Aho previously had a run-in during an April 2 game in Raleigh. After Aho slashed Wilson near the benches, the game devolved into chaos during the third period, with the two teams combining for 120 penalty minutes and eight misconducts.
