11:50am: That didn’t take long. Kevin Allen of USA Today reports that there will be no disciplinary hearing for Wilson for the hit on Marchessault.
11:28am: Game one of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals took place last night, and perhaps not surprisingly Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals was involved in another questionable incident. Wilson appeared to hit Vegas Golden Knights forward Jon Marchessault well after he had distributed the puck, resulting in a skirmish and calls for another suspension. Wilson has already been involved in several incidents in the playoffs, and was suspended for three games after hitting Zach Aston-Reese up high in the second round. According to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN, the league is still considering what to do about the latest Wilson hit. In a tweet, Wyshynski explains:
As of about 20 min ago, no official word on Tom Wilson from NHL Player Safety. One source told me they see the hit as slightly if not egregiously late, but that lack of head contact (it was shoulder to shoulder) is a big consideration. Personally, would be surprised if suspended.
In this case, there is also another player to consider in any disciplinary decisions. David Perron of the Golden Knights appeared to jump onto the ice after the hit was made, and collided with Alex Ovechkin immediately. Perron was the sixth player on the ice for Vegas, and immediately engaged with the opposing team. Leaving the bench is supposed to be a 10-game suspension, as we saw earlier this year with Luke Witkowski of the Detroit Red Wings. Whether the league will determine that Perron was leaving the bench as a response to the hit will likely decide whether or not he sees any further discipline.
For Wilson, it’s just another example of how he uses his physicality to rile up the opponents. Marchessault appeared to be okay after the hit, which did not connect with his head, but was forced off the ice and into the dressing room for a time. As one of the Golden Knights’ key forwards, missing any time would be a big blow to the team’s hopes for the rest of the series. So too would another Wilson suspension, as the physical power forward has found a home on the Capitals’ top line next to Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Wilson has 12 points in 17 playoff games so far, nearly matching his total (19) from the entire 2016-17 season.
Perron should get 10 games but I bet he won’t. Wilson should not be suspended for that hit
10 games for a Too Many Men on the Ice penalty? Yeah, I bet he won’t.
Wilson shouldn’t be suspended for that hit, but if they want to do a make up call for the dozen other hits that he should have been suspended for but wasn’t…so be it.
That’s not a too many men. That’s leaving the bench to start an altercation. Just like the 10 games Witkowski got and just the the 10 games Clarkson got when he was with the leafs. There is no difference between these plays
Lololololol! Get those eyes checked!
They no called Revees goal
Agree 100%. The hit was late but the hit for a reason (actually 2 reasons). Ovechkin was crosschecked from behind away from the play and there was no call. Reaves crosschecked Carlson RIGHT IN FRONT OF 2 REFEREES that led directly to a goal. Again, no call. The Caps had enough. Wilson’s hit wasn’t dirty but it was late. His hit finally woke the refs up. There’s an outcry because Wilson was the guy that made the hit. Any other player and it wouldn’t be nearly as a big deal.
Agree completely. Wasn’t a dirty hit (it looked worse than it did because Marchessault let up a little) and the hit was maybe a few tenths of a second late. Any other player and this wouldn’t even be news.
Well a late hit is a dirty hit but I get where you are coming from. It was not, in the eyes of player safety a suspendable hit. I do wonder, if Machessault was not able to return and diagnosed with a concussion if he would have gotten a suspension. Many times, it is not the hit but the result of the hit is what gets you suspended.
What I meant by “not dirty” was that Wilson didn’t leave his feet or target the head.
The issue wasn’t head contact. It was a blindside hit which is also illegal. Wilson does what he does because the NHL doesn’t inforce their own rules. Same with Marchand. Marchessault got very lucky. But Wilson will keep pushing the envelope until he hurts someone. It’s what he does and the NHL lets him.
He did hurt someone. Aston-Reese. He did not stop yet.
I’m referring to this series. I should’ve specified that. And it only stops with suspensions. And they aren’t long enough to deter it. This is just an example of the NHL punishing the result and not the act. An illegal hit should be a suspension regardless of whether the guy got hurt or not
Pretty sure Marchand gets suspended a lot unless you’re talking about the licking and then I’m not sure licking is suspension worthy.
I expect Wilson to have a “come to Jesus” moment with Mr Reaves Wednesday evening. If the NHL wont punish him the players on the ice can send a better message anyways. Crosschecks were missed everywhere last night (both sides), but intent to injure and blindside hits are garbage! Typical Wilson and will be more than happy to see karma pay him a visit.
Yeah there were very blind eyes last night… Wilson’s hit didn’t come with a goal I believe!
And PS….. shame on NHL refs