The Pittsburgh Penguins are upset with Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson for the way he behaved after his controversial hit that injured Zach Aston-Reese on Tuesday.
Wilson nailed Aston-Reese with a huge check in Game 3 that left the center with a concussion and broken jaw.
Another hit to the head by Tom Wilson pic.twitter.com/PAiErjxNPF
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 2, 2018
Tom Wilson shouldn’t be suspended from the NHL… he should be in jail!
And then he laughs about hurting someone… really classy. pic.twitter.com/Xigdoqaw4A
— Tim Williams (@realtimwilliams) May 2, 2018
There are questions about whether the hit will result in discipline from the league, but that’s not exactly what had the Pens so upset.
Multiple Penguins players thought Wilson was laughing after his hit and found that to be upsetting.
Wilson 2 minutes for laughing at being cross-checked. Sounds about right. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/S1CYmcoBmw
— CAPITALS (2-1) (@OshieGOAT77) May 2, 2018
Kris Letang condemned Wilson’s behavior.
Kris Letang on Tom Wilson: "At the end of the day, I respect what kind of game he plays. But you don’t laugh at somebody getting hurt. You just don’t do that."
— Sam Werner (@SWernerPG) May 2, 2018
Justin Schultz called it “disrespectful.”
Penguins locker room seems most upset that Tom Wilson was caught laughing on the bench after his hit that had left Zach Aston-Reese on the ice.
“That’s disrespectful,” Justin Schultz said.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 2, 2018
Wilson has been disciplined by the league for hits in the past, so it’s possible this will warrant some punishment, though it seems he led with his shoulder and never left his feet. It all depends on what kind of message the league wants to send. Maybe this play will be what sparks Pittsburgh as they trail the Caps 2-1 in the series.
