“Guy is a warrior,” Capitals reflect on ‘Quagmire’ Tom Wilson’s heroics against Canadiens despite puck to face

Tom Wilson and Logan Thompson joke about forward returning on ice with a swollen cheek after being hit by a puck to the face.

“Guy is a warrior,” Capitals reflect on ‘Quagmire’ Tom Wilson’s heroics against Canadiens despite puck to face

Tom Wilson [Image Credit: RMNB/X screengrab]

Washington Capitals almost lost another of their leaders on Saturday during a game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. The team’s alternate captain, Tom Wilson, took a heavy hit to the face by a redirected puck and immediately skated to the locker room.

Despite the pain, he only missed 4:35 of game time and returned with a bang. He scored both the game-tying and winning goal in the team’s 4-2 win against the Canadiens. 

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It would have been a heavy loss for the Capitals if they lost Tom Wilson to injury as their captain, Alex Ovechkin, is already out with a fractured fibula. The incident took place during the first period after the puck from defenceman Jakob Chychrun unintentionally hurt him.

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He held both of his jaws as he went inside the locker room and returned a bit late, with a slightly swollen face. Despite applying ice occasionally during the game, it didn’t make much of a difference. His swollen face was pretty visible, with a slight cut on his left cheek.

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said he never thought Wilson would return to the ice. He even feared it would be a long-term injury. However, his worries were put to rest as Wilson glided back on ice shortly afterward.

Yeah, if it was anybody else, I would have thought they’d be gone for the night…I didn’t think he’d be back that quick. I don’t even think he was bleeding. He was bleeding on the inside, but not on the outside because he didn’t want to show anybody. But yeah, that’s crazy.

Pierre-Luc Dubois as per Ian Oland of RMNB.com

Wilson earned a new nickname in the process, “Quagmire”. Dubois further stressed how important Wilson is to the team, whether he scored or not on Saturday night.  

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Capitals center Dylan Strome said, “The guy is a warrior.” Despite the circumstances Wilson had to face in the team’s 4-2 win, he noted that overall, “it’s a fun win.”

Tom Wilson reflects on Capitals 4-2 win amidst injury concern

Following the team’s 4-2 win, Washington Capitals alternate captain Tom Wilson reflected on how his dad always said, “If you’re good to play, you play.” Wilson did exactly that on Saturday as he boosted the team against the Montreal Canadiens for their ninth consecutive road win.

Tom Wilson
Tom Wilson [Image Credit: Imago]

He not only played after being hurt but also extended the franchise’s record streak in the process. However, he was surprised by how swollen and changed he looked during an interview with Hockey Night in Canada. He jokingly replied, “It doesn’t look so hot.”

Even his teammate Logan Thompson commented on how he may not have returned to the ice if it happened to him. He praised Wilson for his determination and joked a bit about his situation.

Credit to Tom, you can’t even notice it. Funny how that goes.

Logan Thompson as per Ian Oland of RMNB.com.

Wilson said he’d go to bed and see if the swelling settled a bit by the next morning. Dylan Strome also noted how he looked “a little bigger than normal,” with his swollen cheek.

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Wilson further expressed how the Capitals needed to keep scoring, acknowledging how tough the Canadiens are. He spoke about how the team came together and found out ways to keep the scoreboard going as it’s especially a tough situation to not have their captain Alex Ovechkin.