Tom Wilson’s hit draws ire from Golden Knights

Tom Wilson defended himself Monday after another big hit from the Capital forward drew the ire of the opponent.

Wilson blindsided Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault with a shoulder-to-shoulder hit during the third period of the Capitals’ 6-4 loss in Game 1. Marchessault, who wasn’t playing the puck, remained down for a moment before being taken back to the locker room to be evaluated.

This is Wilson’s fourth controversial hit in the playoffs. He was suspended for three games in the second round for a high-hit on Pittsburgh’s Zach Aston-Reese.

“I haven’t obviously slowed it down and looked at it but I think he’d probably say he shouldn’t have admired his pass and I’m just finishing my check,” said Wilson, who was called for an interference penalty on the play. “I haven’t slowed it down. … I think it’s game speed I felt like I delivered it in good time. I think he let up a little bit because he wasn’t aware I was there and I know I finished him through his body.

“I think he might have been a little bit surprised by it but it wasn’t an aggressive hit he looked fine at the end when he was yelling at me from the bench and wooing, just a hockey play.”

Tom Wilson….you can’t do that pic.twitter.com/HF4mORSowc

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 29, 2018

Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant said he thought Wilson should have been given a five-minute major, which would have tossed the winger from the game.

Moving forward, it’s unclear if the NHL will further examine the hit. Because of Wilson’s history, he is a repeat offender — meaning he could face harsher punishment. But the hit wasn’t to Marchessault’s head, which is what triggers most suspensions. 

Capitals coach Barry Trotz said he expected Wilson to be available for Wednesday’s Game 2.

Golden Knights winger Ryan Reaves, however, called the hit late and “it’s just Wilson doing what Wilson does.” Marchessault added he “never saw it coming.”

After Wilson returned from suspension, he and Trotz openly discussed the need to stay on the “right side” of the line.

Wilson said he realizes he’ll “always” have a reputation.

“When you play obviously when you play my physical style you’re going to build up a reputation,” Wilson said. “I trust myself. I try and play, I play the game hard … to bring that energy and that physicality. Right after he got up he said ’good hit’.

“So. It’s the Stanley Cup Final out there. There’s going to be hits. It looked pretty good to me. It’s a hit. It was a physical game. It was a fast game. It was a great hockey game and they got a little bit of the better of us but we’ll regroup here.”