Two of the best fighters in the NHL dropped the gloves for a heavyweight tilt in Monday’s game between the Capitals and the Senators. Brady Tkachuk and Tom Wilson had fans on their feet, and everyone absolutely loved the massive bout between the two star players.
Wilson took a late hit from Claude Giroux, and when he skated over to have a chat with him, Tkachuk stepped in instead—simply asking for a fight. Wilson, one of the league’s toughest enforcers, didn’t hesitate to accept the challenge.
It was tough to name a clear winner, with many ultimately calling it a draw. Both players threw and landed big punches, but fans were thrilled with the intensity of the scrap.
Wilson explains fight with Brady Tkachuk
Postgame, Wilson explained that he hadn’t initially planned to fight Tkachuk, but when the moment presented itself, he felt that “it needed to happen.”
“I was going after Giroux for old time’s sake, back to the Philly days,” Wilson told reporters. “And then Brady just kinda came over and, I don’t know, felt like it needed to happen, I guess.”
Wilson capped off his night with a goal and an assist, completing the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. Tkachuk tied the game 4-4 with 1:08 remaining, but the Capitals ultimately secured a 5-4 shootout victory.
Tkachuk praised for the tilt
On social media, fans praised both fighters for the bout—especially Tkachuk, who held his own against one of the league’s toughest players.
“Brady is legitimately a decent fighter, which is kinda unfortunate because the team doesn’t need him sitting in the box for five minutes whenever he does this,” one fan commented.
“Everyone is always shocked when Brady can actually fight. Man grew up with Matthew Tkachuk as an older brother—what did you think would happen?” another added.
“This is why Brady will always be the better Tkachuk,” a third joked.
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