Tom Wilson has the Washington Capitals winning and having fun again.
Remember the Stanley Cup run? Remember the excitement seeing Tom Wilson laying out hits and punches on the ice? Well, ladies and gentlemen, here is where the fun begins. Despite the Washington Capitals dropping a shocking loss against the Ducks yesterday, the team is light years ahead of where they were in October and early November.
Don’t panic just yet because this team’s seven-game winning streak was just the beginning of what is to come. With Wilson back in the lineup, the Capitals have a much better shot at defending their Stanley Cup title.
Return of The Toughness
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By the time Wilson’s suspension was shorten, the Capitals were running on flat tires. At times, the team looked lost, lacking communication and lost the edge of fear on defense. Teams were coming into Capital One Arena and not looking over their shoulder passing the puck.
The Capitals, playing .500 hockey, consisted of escaping with wins and looking lost while losing. What Wilson’s reintroduction did was light a spark that has not been seen since the home opener. There is no clearer example than the first game after Wilson’s return.
Against the Minnesota Wild, Wilson scored the first goal in a 5-2 win and got into a fight with Marcus Foligno in the second period.
The Necessity of Organized Chaos
Let us all be honest. The Capitals did not have the same fire, excitement and focus earlier this season sans number 43. When Wilson is on the ice, the Capitals play a different style of hockey which adds to an intimidating speed, crushing hits and down right fear of organized chaos.
Without him, you’ll find it to be a very hard time trying to replicate the fighting nature of a bruiser such as Wilson. Some fans deem him as a liability to the team. While others believe he is the apple of many NHL ref’s eyes.
No matter what side you settle on, Wilson is the edge the team needed during the Stanley Cup Finals. Say what you will, but finesse hockey teams typically do not get far. The necessary unstable force that has been missing for the Capitals since May of 2018 and his absence proves he is more needed than anyone thought.