Caps’ Wilson cries foul on hit by Stralman

WASHINGTON — Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson is an expert when it comes to knowing what the NHL looks for when punishing someone for a dangerous hit, and he thinks Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman could be in trouble.

Wilson, who served a three-game suspension earlier this postseason, spoke out about the way Stralman slammed him into the glass in the first period of Tuesday’s 4-2 victory for Tampa Bay over Washington in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Stralman was sent to the penalty box for boarding.

“It’s a vulnerable position. There’s no doubt there’s contact with my head. If I’m wearing a helmet from five years ago, I think I’m probably unconscious. So we’ll see what they say,” Wilson said, referring to the possibility of the league’s department of player safety reviewing the matter.

On the play, Wilson was facing the glass not too far from the Capitals bench when Stralman hit him from behind. Wilson dropped to the ice and put his right glove to his helmet.

After the game, which allowed the Lightning to cut their series deficit to 2-1, Wilson talked about the “goose egg on the side of my head” and acknowledged, “It took me a little bit to collect myself.”

He said the hit included “everything I’ve heard all year: He sees (jersey) numbers for a good amount of time, and he elevates through the back of my shoulder and head.”

Capitals coach Barry Trotz referred to those as “red flags,” and added, “I understand where Tom’s coming from, no question.”