KEY POINTS

  • Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals sparked a brawl against the New York Rangers
  • Wilson is criticized for not respecting the game and fellow players
  • The Rangers get double black-eye with the loss to the Capitals

Most know that the National Hockey League (NHL) involves a lot of physicalities.

There will be times when players go at it after which penalties are meted. In the case of Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals, he appears to be proud of the chaos that he started when they played against the New York Rangers.

A massive brawl in the second period of the Capitals vs. Rangers erupted at the Madison Square Garden on Monday with the 27-year-old right-winger sparking it all.

The ruckus transpired when Capitals goalie Vitek Vanecek made a save on a shot. The scene saw several payers involved with Wilson spotted punching a prone Pavel Buchnevich in the head, USA Today reported.

However, Wilson did more than that. He also body-slammed Artemiy Panarin on the ice during an ensuing donnybrook.

The Canadian got a 10-minute misconduct penalty and four minutes for roughing. But adding insult to injury, Wilson flexed as he made his way to the penalty box.

For those who may have missed it, a video of the brawl that erupted in the Capitals vs. Rangers clash can be viewed below.

"I figure you should have some more respect for the game and for the players," Rangers center Mika Zibanejad said. "I don’t honestly know where to start, it’s just horrible. Zero respect. I don’t know why I’m surprised, but yeah, just horrible."

The win by the Capitals eliminated the Rangers from playoff contention. This was made formal when the Boston Bruins won over the New Jersey Devils.

Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals
Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals Getty Images | Bruce Bennett

As for Wilson, getting into trouble is nothing new. He has had a long history of NHL suspensions, including a seven-game penalty for hitting Bruins’ Brandon Carlo who was hospitalized after being slammed into the boards.

Other than that, the 6-foot-4 hockey player also got a 20-game suspension for an illegal hit on Oskar Sundqvist during the 2018-19 preseason. That was reduced to 14 games.

Regardless, Wilson has had a troubled history in the NHL. Before the March suspension, he managed to keep himself in check, avoiding suspension for more than two years.

RELATED STORIES