Did Tom Wilson Catch a Lucky Supplemental Discipline Break?

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery explained his view of the sequence after the game. He said it is never easy to see a player leave the game, but stressed that Wilson was already committed to making contact. Carbery noted that a turn along the wall is usually harmless “nine times out of ten,” but that Wilson’s size changes the outcome.

“Willy’s a big strong guy, so when you turn on Willy and you take his contact of 240 pounds of just steel,” Carbery said, a player can be left badly off balance. He added that everything looked fine until Vilmanis spun late, exposing his numbers.

Did Wilson Lay Off or Get Lucky?

Given his past, there will be questions about Wilson’s intent here, and whether or not he got a free pass from the NHL. One fan sarcastically noted, “Given his clean track record and lack of prior punishment, this is clearly the most expected outcome for the model player Tom Wilson has been throughout his career. Second only to Pavel Datsyuk.”

Another said, “Hit from behind, sure. But you gotta be either brain dead or suicidal to look directly at Tom Wilson barreling towards you and then choose to turn your back to him.”

The ruling is a significant break for Washington, which avoids losing Wilson to a suspension. Wilson has long drawn scrutiny from the league for his physical style. Many believe he did his best to avoid the situation being much worse. What do you think?