Caps’ Wilson to have in-person hearing this week for illegal hit

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson will have an in-person hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety in New York on Wednesday morning after he was ejected from Sunday’s preseason finale for an illegal check to the head of St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist. An in-person hearing means Wilson can be suspended for more than five games, and the timing of the hearing means he almost certainly won’t be in the lineup for Washington’s season opener against the visiting Boston Bruins on Wednesday night, when they will raise their Stanley Cup banner. Since Wilson was assessed a match penalty for his illegal check to Sundqvist’s head, he’s already suspended indefinitely, pending a ruling from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, which will presumably just be the Department of Player Safety’s decision on his punishment. Dating to last preseason, Wilson is facing his fourth suspension, which is why supplemental discipline is expected to be harsh. The Capitals will have to construct an opening-night roster by 5 p.m. today with the assumption that Wilson won’t be available. Defenseman Aaron Ness was waived Monday, meaning Washington is down to eight defensemen and 15 forwards. Center Travis Boyd, who is week-to-week with a lower-body injury — he has been wearing a protective boot on his left foot — probably will be placed on injured reserve. Forwards Jayson Megna and Nathan Walker both remain on the team, and one of them is expected to be in the lineup Wednesday.