Tom Wilson scored the first goal of the Capitals’ Game 1 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, but he won’t be on the ice to do the same in Game 2.
Washington Capitals coach Peter Laviolette told reporters that the hard-hitting winger will not play in Game 2 Thursday night due to a lower-body injury. Laviolette said Wilson is day-to-day.
Early in the first period after he scored to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead, Wilson sustained a lower-body injury. Although he did skate during a timeout in the second period, he didn’t re-enter the game.
WILLYYYY!!
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) May 3, 2022
Caps start the playoffs up 1-0 pic.twitter.com/6VHAwc3Pcg
After the game, Laviolette said there was a “concern level” with Wilson’s injury. He said Wednesday that Wilson would be a game-time decision on Thursday, but the bench boss ruled out the 28-year-old after he wasn’t able to participate in the team’s morning skate.
According to multiple reports, Brett Leason, who was recalled from Hershey on Thursday, filled in for Wilson during the morning skate. Leason, 23, made his NHL debut this season and played 36 games with the Capitals as the team dealt with a rash of injuries early in the campaign.
After Game 2 at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida, the Capitals will return to D.C. for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday.
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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