The Fan Blog : Rivalry Week recap

This will likely sound crazy coming from a Philadelphia fan, but I think a guy like Tom Wilson, penalties aside, is actually COSTING the Capitals games. There's nothing wrong with big hits, and there's nothing wrong with fighting.

However, in the Flyers game, he seemed more interested in making late/predatory hits than playing hockey. Instead of backing down, the Flyers went right back at him, and I actually think it was a rallying point (especially the Hagg fight). They Flyers definitely seemed more energized when Raffl went back a him and when Hagg stepped up after he just missed running Giroux.

I'm not crying "Oh big mean Tom Wilson, why doesn't he play nice." Again, big clean hits and fights are things I can enjoy. But he can also be a rallying point for a team when he goes out of his way to try to flex his muscles if the other team flexes back.

This will likely sound crazy coming from a Philadelphia fan, but I think a guy like Tom Wilson, penalties aside, is actually COSTING the Capitals games. There's nothing wrong with big hits, and there's nothing wrong with fighting.

However, in the Flyers game, he seemed more interested in making late/predatory hits than playing hockey. Instead of backing down, the Flyers went right back at him, and I actually think it was a rallying point (especially the Hagg fight). They Flyers definitely seemed more energized when Raffl went back a him and when Hagg stepped up after he just missed running Giroux.

I'm not crying "Oh big mean Tom Wilson, why doesn't he play nice." Again, big clean hits and fights are things I can enjoy. But he can also be a rallying point for a team when he goes out of his way to try to flex his muscles if the other team flexes back.
- jmatchett383

I agree with you that he was trying too hard to create a physical presence during the Philly game. However, Tom Wilson is easily one of our most valuable players. He is winning us games, not costing us them. He has a career high 21G - 22A in 63 GP. In most games this season, he has shown the ability to deliver a clean hit without being considered dangerous. There are a few games this season, including the recent one against philly, where I felt like he got away from what as made him successful all season.

This will likely sound crazy coming from a Philadelphia fan, but I think a guy like Tom Wilson, penalties aside, is actually COSTING the Capitals games. There's nothing wrong with big hits, and there's nothing wrong with fighting.

However, in the Flyers game, he seemed more interested in making late/predatory hits than playing hockey. Instead of backing down, the Flyers went right back at him, and I actually think it was a rallying point (especially the Hagg fight). They Flyers definitely seemed more energized when Raffl went back a him and when Hagg stepped up after he just missed running Giroux.

I'm not crying "Oh big mean Tom Wilson, why doesn't he play nice." Again, big clean hits and fights are things I can enjoy. But he can also be a rallying point for a team when he goes out of his way to try to flex his muscles if the other team flexes back.
- jmatchett383

That was one game, where many of us Caps fans acknowledged that the Flyers were able to get Wilson off his game. He's gotta be able to reign in that aggressiveness when he gets angry. That said, Wilson really isn't the main culprit when it comes to all of these penalties against. He did have a sloppy game against the Flyers, no questions there. You don't want to see him take unnecessary runs at Giroux, which could have easily been suspendable if he made full contact. He needs to be a forechecking demon.

I agree with you that he was trying too hard to create a physical presence during the Philly game. However, Tom Wilson is easily one of our most valuable players. He is winning us games, not costing us them. He has a career high 21G - 22A in 63 GP. In most games this season, he has shown the ability to deliver a clean hit without being considered dangerous. There are a few games this season, including the recent one against philly, where I felt like he got away from what as made him successful all season.
- BrenosBagels

Pretty much everyone seemed to acknowledge his bad game against the Flyers. It was obvious that he wasn't concerned with making the best plays.

He really needs to stay on that relentless forechecking pressure he brings, since Ovi and Kuzy don't.