Jakob Chychrun apologizes and shows respect for Tom Wilson after injury incident (via Instagram/@ tomwilson and jakobchychrun)

Jakob Chychrun has a message for Tom Wilson after his wrist shot gives Caps forward an extremely swollen face

Modified Dec 08, 2024 06:40 GMT

Tom Wilson showed his toughness during the Washington Capitals’ 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. In the first period, Wilson was hit in the face by a wrist shot from Jakob Chychrun. He skated to the bench, holding his jaw in pain, and left the game for repairs. Wilson missed only 4:35 of the game before returning to the bench with a cut on his left cheek and some swelling.

Wilson later explained,

"Honestly when it hits you, I feel like my side of my face is falling off a little."

Tom Wilson was checked out in the locker room and felt good enough to finish the game. Jakob Chychrun, who caused Wilson’s injury, expressed his respect for Wilson on Instagram. He wrote,

“Love this guy… absolute nail gun. Way to carry us brotha @tomwilson. P.S. I’m sorry.”

After getting checked in the locker room, Wilson was cleared to play again. By the third period, his face was very swollen, but he still scored twice. His first goal was a tough-angle shot that squeezed past Montreal’s goalie, Sam Montembeault. Then, after a turnover in the offensive zone, he blasted another shot to give the Capitals the lead.

Between shifts, Tom Wilson iced his cheek but kept playing through the pain. After the game, Wilson saw his swollen face on TV.

“It doesn’t look so hot,” he said. “My dad always told me, ‘If you’re good to play, you play.’”

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The Capitals will next play the Blue Jackets on December 12 at 7:00 PM EST.

Dylan Strome praised Tom Wilson's efforts in 4-2 win

Tom Wilson scored two goals in the third period, leading the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Wilson tied the game 2-2 at 7:10 with a rebound goal and struck again at 11:48, assisted by Aliaksei Protas and Pierre-Luc Dubois, putting Washington ahead.

Despite missing key players like Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie, and Niklas Backstrom, the Capitals displayed their depth. Logan Thompson contributed with 22 saves. The win extended Washington’s road streak to nine games, a franchise record, and improved their recent form to 6-0-1.

Dylan Strome praised Wilson’s grit, calling him a “warrior” after his crucial goals sealed the team’s comeback.

“He came back to the bench looking a little bigger than normal,” Strome said per NHL.com, “But the guy’s a warrior, there’s nothing else to say. Warrior and got it done, found a way. We all said after he got hit, we all knew he was scoring, it was just a matter of when, and then he got two.”

The Capitals overcame a shaky start to continue their impressive streak. This win helped the Capitals take the first position in the Metropolitan Division with 40 points and a 19-6-2 record.