Capitals tough guy Tom Wilson knocks Bruins’ Anton Blidh out of game with monster hit
It had been a season of little controversy for Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson … until Thursday night.
Wilson found himself drawing hockey fans’ ire online once again as he knocked Boston Bruins forward Anton Blidh out of the game with a devastating open-ice hit in the first period.
Backchecking on a Washington power play, the Capitals’ tough guy caught Blidh just after the Bruins forward had executed a drop pass. Blidh, 26, stayed down about a minute before he skated off the ice with the help of a Bruins trainer. Boston said during the first intermission Blidh would not return due to an “upper body” injury.
Wilson was not penalized on the play.
He was suspended seven games for that incident.
It remains to be seen if the NHL examines Thursday night’s play.
The Bruins went on to win 4-3 thanks to McAvoy’s power-play goal in the final minute.
After the game, the Bruins took far more exception to a second-period hit from Garnet Hathaway that injured star Brad Marchand.