By Jenny Masters
Tom Wilson was suspended seven games by the NHL Department of Player Safety and, pending an appeal, will not play for the Caps against the Flyers tonight.
It is the fifth suspension in the NHL for the forward, all since September 2017, and his first since the start of the 2018-19 season. He also has been fined twice.
Wilson is being suspended for boarding Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo on Friday. The incident occurred at 18:27 of the first period of Washington’s 5-1 loss at TD Garden.
Wilson did not receive a penalty. Carlo left the game and was hospitalized for an upper-body injury and released.
“While there are aspects of this hit that may skirt the line between suspendable and not suspendable, it is the totality of the circumstances that cause this play to merit supplemental discipline,” the Department of Player Safety explainer video states. “What separates this hit from others is the direct and significant contact to a defenseless player’s face and head causing a violent impact with the glass. This is a player with a substantial disciplinary record taking advantage of an opponent who is in a defenseless position and doing so with significant force.”
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