If recent history repeats itself, the Capitals and Lightning may once again meet in a high-stakes series, this time during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Perhaps that thought explains why tensions seem pretty high on Saturday?
Then again, maybe it’s just a matter of the gravitational pull that Tom Wilson’s physicality provides, whether the hits are legal, illegal, or in a gray area in between.
One way or another, the Lightning didn’t seem pleased with Wilson after he landed a hard hit on promising defenseman Mikhail Sergachev. Sergachev clearly looked shaken up, although he was able to leave the ice under his own power:
Sergachev heads to the locker room after sustaining a hit on the boards from Wilson #CapsBolts pic.twitter.com/dBuxFEMHo2
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) March 16, 2019
Wilson was not penalized for the hit, and by Wilson standards, this wasn’t too controversial. Do you think it was over the line, though?
Later on in the game, Sergachev was able to return, so that’s a good sign.
Mikhail Sergachev is back on the ice for his first shift since sustaining that hit into the boards from Tom Wilson in the 1st period. #Bolts #WSHvsTBL
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) March 17, 2019
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.