After a team’s season is cut short and they are knocked out of the playoffs, the list of injuries sustained to get to that point is usually to follow. That is no different for the Washington Capitals. Forward, Tom Wilson was injured in Game 1 in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and did not return to the series. The Capitals were defeated by the Florida Panthers in six games.
#Caps forward Tom Wilson, who was injured on May 3 in Game 1 against Florida, underwent a successful surgical procedure on his left knee to reconstruct his torn ACL. Based on the nature of this procedure, Wilson is expected to miss 6-8 months.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) May 25, 2022
Tom Wilson Injured; to Miss Beginning of the Season
Wilson’s Big Year
Wilson, who has been with the Capitals since 2013 is known for his physical game. However, this season he has become an offensive threat as well. In 78 games played, Wilson scored 24 goals and recorded 52 points. He broke his career-high record for goals, assists, and points this season. He also scored five game-winning goals, which ties his career-high. As well as picking up his offensive game, he has decreased his time in the box significantly from earlier in his career. This season he served 98 penalty minutes compared to the 2017-2018 season where he served 187. Wilson has turned into a well-rounded player for the Capitals.
What It Means
His presence was missed during the playoffs against the Panthers. Wilson sustained his injury in Game 1, tearing his ACL in his left knee. He only had 1:31 of ice time but managed to score a power-play goal in just three shifts. With the Capitals facing elimination in Game 6, he tried to return with a knee brace. He and the coach decided it was not worth it. Wilson is expected to be out for 6-8 months and his doctors anticipate a smooth recovery. This puts Wilson missing a majority of the beginning of the season. The Capitals will have to fill his spot until he can get back on the ice, hopefully, at the level, he was playing before.
