The NHL Department of Player Safety announced prior to the Washington Capitals’ tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday (7 PM ET, Monumental Sports Network locally, NHL Network nationally) that right-wing Tom Wilson has been suspended for six games after high-sticking center Noah Gregor in the team’s 7-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.
Tom Wilson has been offered an in-person hearing for his high-stick on Noah Gregor, meaning he could be suspended for longer than five games.pic.twitter.com/s16wPLfhEq
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 21, 2024
Wilson was offered an in-person hearing on Thursday, which he accepted and made him eligible for a suspension of at least five games.
Wilson was assessed a double-minor penalty at 12:15 of the third period vs. Toronto after checking Gregor into the boards and carelessly swinging his stick into Gregor’s face.
This is fifth suspension of the 29-year-old’s NHL career but first in over three years, meaning he is not a repeat offender of the CBA. Wilson has never been suspended for spearing or high-sticking any opponent.
Wilson will be eligible to return on Thursday, April 4 vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Washington is currently three points behind the Detroit Red Wings (with two games in hand) for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and four back of the Philadelphia Flyers (two) for third place in the Metropolitan Division with 15 games to go in the regular season. They are also without right-wing T.J. Oshie (upper-body injury) and center Aliaksei Protas (lower-body).
By Harrison Brown
