Tough news for Tom Wilson today
Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Tom Wilson lower body injury has Washington Capitals scrambling before Anaheim Ducks game.
Wilson went down awkwardly Saturday in Chicago after Connor Murphy clipped his right leg on a hit. He left after six minutes, and Spencer Carbery labeled him day to day pending more information.
The timing stings because the 21-15-6 Capitals lean on Wilson for 22 goals and 42 points, and he wears the A for a reason.
The 31-year-old was Washington's 16th overall pick in 2012, and his north-south game sets their tone.
Tom Wilson injury tests Capitals depth
Caps fans feel it when Wilson is not hammering the forecheck. Without him, the power-play net front shrinks, and puck retrievals on dump-ins get harder.
Sonny Milano can slide up, and Ryan Leonard may see a bigger slice of Wilson's minutes. That puts pressure on Dylan Strome's line to win the slot and on the defense to move pucks fast.
Anaheim will try to bait Washington into trading chances, because the Ducks have speed through the neutral zone and love quick counterattacks.
The Caps can tilt it back by dumping pucks behind the defense, then sealing boards to open slot looks for Alex Ovechkin.
Wilson and Ovechkin have clicked on rush plays this year, and that chemistry is hard to fake in one morning skate.
Carbery keeps pointing back to the defensive foundation, and injuries to Wilson and Aliaksei Protas have not helped. After a 4-6-4 run, Washington needs cleaner exits and fewer slot freebies against Anaheim.
Anaheim stole a shootout win Dec. 5 after Washington led three times. If Wilson sits, the margin thins, so the Caps must own the middle and keep Logan Thompson's sightlines clear.
Wilson usually soaks up wall battles and late defensive shifts, so someone else has to eat those minutes. Nic Dowd can take more defensive-zone draws, and Anthony Beauvillier has to crash the crease.
The early read is that this is not a long-term scare, but day-to-day still shakes a lineup. Whether Wilson returns later this week or needs more rest, Monday is about proving the structure holds.
Also read on Washington Hockey Insider :
Positive injury updates for Tom Wilson and Aliaksei Protas
Positive injury updates for Tom Wilson and Aliaksei Protas
Previously on Washington Hockey Insider
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 5 | 29 ANSWERS Tough news for Tom Wilson today How much does the Tom Wilson injury change the Washington Capitals plan vs the Anaheim Ducks | ||
| Big impact | 23 | 79.3 % |
| Small impact | 3 | 10.3 % |
| No change | 2 | 6.9 % |
| Unsure | 1 | 3.4 % |
| List of polls | ||