With the game—and potentially the series—on the line, Tom Wilson stepped up when his team needed him most, and in the best way he could. His bone-crushing hit on Alexandre Carrier completely changed the game and allowed the Washington Capitals to tie it up. Wilson was praised by teammates, fans, and experts—with one former Capital even calling it “one of the most brutal hits I’ve seen.”
Game 4 between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals was a tight one. With six minutes played in the third period, it looked like the Canadiens would tie the series at 2-2. But then, something happened.
Alexandre Carrier moved the puck up the ice, and Tom Wilson caught him completely unaware of his surroundings. Wilson delivered a devastating shoulder hit to Carrier’s body, shifting the momentum of the entire game. Moments later, the puck found its way to Jakob Chychrun, who flipped it into the Canadiens’ zone. From there, Brandon Duhaime took possession before firing a shot that ricocheted off Cole Caufield and into the net.
Tom Wilson praised for massive hit
After that crucial, game-tying goal, the Capitals went on to score three more times in the third period, winning 5-2 and taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. And while the Canadiens were unhappy with the hit—and with how the officials handled it—the Capitals couldn’t praise Wilson enough for his game-changing play.
“(Tom’s hit) completely changed the momentum in the game, and that’s a prime example of one of the elements he brings,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said per RMNB. “He does so many different things, and everybody in here knows how impactful and unique he is. You saw firsthand how significantly he can influence a team coming back and winning a hockey game at the most important time of the year.”
Wilson has always been known for delivering big hits at big moments, but this one just might take the prize when it comes to memorable physical plays. Former Capitals goalie Brent Johnson didn’t hold back when talking about the hit on Monumental Sports Network.
“That was one of the most brutal hits I’ve seen,” he said.
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