Tom Wilson struck again in Game 3 against the Penguins. This time it was a high, hard hit to the head of Zach Aston-Reese instead of Brian Dumoulin.
The only difference this time is that, unlike Dumoulin, Aston-Reese will miss time, perhaps the rest of the postseason.
Uncharacteristically, Mike Sullivan immediately confirmed the extent of Aston-Reese's injuries after Tuesday night's 4-3 loss to Wilson and the Capitals in Game 3 of this increasingly violent second-round series. The coach said that Aston-Reese suffered a concussion and a broken jaw that will require surgery. He is out indefinitely.
TAP ABOVE FOR BOXSCORE, VIDEOThe other difference, at least the Penguins are hoping, is that some sort of disciplinary action will be coming from the NHL. The league cleared Wilson of any wrongdoing following his high hit on Dumoulin in Game 2 at Washington.
"We would hope at some point that the league might do something, but as far as we're concerned, we can only control what's within our power and that's our focus on the game," Mike Sullivan said.
There was no penalty called on the ice Tuesday night when Wilson leveled Aston-Reese with this thunderous hit with 10:09 remaining in the second period:
The impact of the hit nearly sent the Capitals' 6-foot-4, 218-pound forward into his own bench.
"It's a high hit, what else can I say?" said Sullivan.
As he skated off holding his face, Aston-Reese threw his glove toward the Capitals bench. After the game, several Penguins players said they took exception to Wilson laughing on the bench.
After Tuesday's morning skate, Wilson said: “I play a physical style and that’s going to bring more attention to that type of thing than someone who doesn’t finish checks like I do and play that hard type of hockey. I’ve always prided myself on being an honest player, try and play the game hard, play the game the way it was meant to be played, the right way. I try and keep that element in my game no matter what role I’m playing.”
Wilson was not made available to the media following Tuesday night's game, but Capitals goalie Braden Holtby defended his teammate.
"He hits clean, he just hits hard," said Holtby. "I think today, for some reason, it's frowned upon to hit people in hockey. But now it's taking the team success and everything and putting it in perspective and knowing that the refs are going to be looking to call anything. I think he knows that. He's a very intelligent player and very intelligent guy. He creates that room for Ovi and Kuzy. I think he's my type of player, for sure."
