Capitals’ Tom Wilson a game-time decision against Canucks after missing eight games
The Washington Capitals may be getting a big piece of their team back in the lineup, as forward Tom Wilson is a game-time decision for Wednesday’s matchup against the Vancouver Canucks.
Wilson just told us he’s hopeful to play tonight but still needs to talk to the training staff and make a final decision. Said he’s feeling better and would like to get back
Tom Wilson is taking reps with the power play. Looks like he’ll return tonight from his lower body injury
Wilson has missed the past eight games due to a lower-body injury he sustained on January 3rd’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks when he received a reverse hit from Connor Murphy. Wilson was originally listed as day-to-day, but the recovery time ended up being much longer than expected, as we are now two-and-a-half weeks from the initial injury occurrence.
Wilson isn’t fully confirmed to play on Wednesday, but all signs point to his return. According to Washington Post reporter Bailey Johnson, Wilson took reps on the power play, indicating a strong chance of a return. However, Johnson later reported that Wilson still has to talk to the training staff and make a final decision.
Daily Faceoff currently projects Wilson to skate on the second line alongside Justin Sourdif and Connor McMichael. This combination has played 31:27 this season, outscoring their competition 3-0 and sporting a 53.19 5v5 expected goal share. Wilson is also projected to retake his role on the top power play unit.
Wilson being close to a return is also great news for Hockey Canada, as it means that he’ll most likely be ready to play in the Olympics next month, and a replacement won’t need to be named. Wilson was named with the rest of the team on January 1st, which will wear the red and white maple leaf for the first time since playing for the Canada Ontario U17 team at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2010-11.
Before his injury, Wilson was having his best season to date with 22 goals and 20 assists for 42 points in 41 games. It’s the first time in his career that he’s averaged a point-per-game or higher in his career in a season, and he’s on pace to surpass his previous career highs set last season.
The Capitals currently sit in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division with a 24-20-6 record, and are three points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for third place, the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Washington will look to end a three-game losing streak when they visit Vancouver to take on the Canucks on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.