Wilson ‘day to day’ with concussion
GLENDALE, ARIZ.— Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was scratched for Thursday night’s game against the Arizona Coyotes because of a concussion, sustained in Tuesday night’s game in Vegas.
Though he was at Gila River Arena with his teammates Thursday, Wilson didn’t participate in the morning skate, and Capitals coach Todd Reirden said he’s “day to day” and will continue on this road trip with the team.
On a blindside hit from Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves on Tuesday night, Wilson’s helmet popped off and his head hit the ice as he dropped. Wilson had to be helped to the locker room and didn’t return to the game.
Washington plays in Columbus on Saturday night before returning home. The Capitals have lost their past two games, and between Wilson’s suspension and a slew of injuries, they haven’t had their full lineup available all season.
After Wilson was suspended for the first 16 games of the sea- son, his return propelled the Capitals to the top of the Metropolitan Division standings. Before he got hurt in Vegas, Wilson had scored eight goals with eight assists in his first 10 games back, and Washington was 8-2-0 in that span. The Capitals are already without T.J. Oshie, who also has a concussion and missed his 10th straight game Thursday, so Wilson’s injury means the team is down its two top right-wingers.
Andre Burakovsky played his off side and replace Wilson on the top line with centre Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin.
Reirden used Burakovsky in that role after Wilson was ejected in the second period of Friday’s game against New Jersey and again after he went down on Tuesday night. Burakovsky’s production has been uninspiring with four goals and three assists through 27 games, but Reirden believes his speed will be a good complement to Backstrom and Ovechkin.