The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has been suspended for six games for high-sticking Toronto Maple Leafs forward Noah Gregor in their game Wednesday.
Gregor stayed in the game but was clearly shaken up by the errant stick from Wilson.
Wilson’s history impacted this suspension
The NHL called Wilson’s action “extremely reckless” in a video explanation put out on Friday, and noted Wilson’s five previous suspensions, to go along with three fines, as justification for the six-game ban.
Wilson was handed a double-minor for the high stick during the game.
The suspension is tied for the longest handed out this year, as David Perron also got six games for cross-checking earlier in the season.
“He is accountable for the dangerous result of the play, which is a direct and forceful blow to an opponent’s head by a player with a substantial track record of supplemental discipline,” the league said.
The Capitals, in the middle of a playoff race, will now miss their fourth leading scorer until April. When the two teams meet again on March 28, Wilson will still be sidelined.
Wilson can appeal to Gary Bettman, and then an independent arbitrator. With the Capitals desperate for points, Wilson and the team will definitely look to get the suspension reduced.
