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NEWS: Tom Wilson Emerges from Suspension And Makes This Statement Awaiting Showdown Against Penguins
Tom Wilson will be back in the Washington Capitals’ starting lineup when they play the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.
Wilson’s NHL suspension for high-sticking has kept him out of the team’s last six games. The Capitals are currently in a close race for the last Eastern Conference playoff berths after losing three games in a row without him. The race now features the Penguins, who look to have recovered.
Wilson stated on Wednesday, “I feel like it’s always a rivalry game with the Penguins.” You’ve known for the past ten or so years that this will be a big game.
There are two teams that are constantly fighting to be the best and to get into positions, regardless of the season or the standings. At this moment, nothing has changed. Since the two clubs’ 2018 Stanley Cup playoff encounter, this Thursday night’s game could be the most significant between them.
The top sources for playoff odds state that there could be a 15 percent swing in playoff odds because the Capitals were unable to pull away from the pack over the last week.
Having played 74 games, the Capitals have 82 standing points, good for second wild card slot in the East. After 75 games, the Penguins have 79 standing points, which puts them behind the Capitals, New York Islanders, and Detroit Red Wings for the last playoff spot (81, 82, respectively).
Wilson’s return to the starting lineup is anticipated by head coach Spencer Carbery to help the club settle in and better align their depth chart for this last stretch push.
The Capitals lost 6-2 to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday despite being without Wilson and right winger TJ Oshie. Oshie will not play in either of the back-to-back games against the Penguins after meeting with the team doctor on Thursday morning.
“Adding [Tom] back into the lineup is huge,” stated Carbery. “From a variety of areas, including leadership, bench presence, locker room presence, and the things he contributes strategically.
He participates in five-on-five play, power plays, and penalty kills. helps us out a bit when it comes to that right side’s wing play.
A very pleasant addition to the team. When Wilson was injured by the NHL, he was on a roll. In nine games in March, he scored in three of them in a row and eight points (4g, 4a) overall.
After practice on Wednesday, the huge winger addressed his suspension; nonetheless, he concluded his media appearance by concentrating more on the team’s remaining eight games.
Wilson stated, “I just decided to concentrate on this run.” “I wanted to make sure that I was fully focused on this team’s playoff run and to move past [the suspension].”
It seems like a long time, and I’m eager to go on. I’m eager to return and lend a hand in any way I can because there are just a few weeks left in this situation.
Wilson has scored in both of the Capitals’ and Penguins’ last two meetings this season.With 12 goals in 41 games, Pittsburgh is the squad he has scored most goals on than any other in his career.
