Tom Wilson guided the puck through center zone during the first minute of last Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks. He kicked it out left to Nicklas Backstrom, who then re-centered the puck to Alex Ovechkin, who threw it back to a perfectly-positioned Wilson at the net. Wilson chipped it in to finish a textbook sequence, giving the Caps a 1-0 lead just 56 seconds into the game.
The play, instant and well-executed, was a microcosm of Wilson’s impact since he returned to the lineup on Nov. 13 in Minnesota.
Over the last eight games, Wilson leads the team with 12 points. He’s turned in four multi-point games, including a three-point night (2g, 1a) in Washington’s 4-1 win over the New York Islanders on Monday, the fourth time in his career he’s recorded at least three points. He is riding a career-high four-game goal scoring streak and a six-game point streak. He is averaging a career-high in ice time with 20:44. But his own success reflects only a fraction of his value.
“Tom brings a certain element to a line,” said Lars Eller, who’s played just over 28 minutes with Wilson this season. “Everyone brings something different. He brings a physical game and wins a lot of puck battles, keeps plays alive.”
“He’s great on the forecheck, turns over a lot of pucks and allows guys like Backstrom and Ovechkin to play with the puck,” Nic Dowd said. “Most guys in the league would say that when those two have the puck (Ovechkin and Backstrom) they’re pretty dynamic. Tom’s a great player too. He deserves to play where he is, he deserves those minutes. He just creates a lot of hesitation in the other team’s defense and [his linemates] take advantage of that.”
Wilson’s presence on the ice has lifted his supporting cast, evidenced by the stat sheet. The Capitals’ first line of Wilson, Backstrom and Ovechkin has scored four goals at five-on-five in 62:45 together. Wilson has primarily played with Ovechkin as his opposite wing since his return, and in 107:37, the duo has combined for nine goals at five-on-five, while allowing just four. The two have also recorded 107 on-ice shot attempts at five-on-five while allowing 100 (51.69 shot attempt percentage).
“I think when you’re playing with [Ovechkin and Backstrom], it doesn’t take a lot to build that chemistry,” Wilson said.
“You never want to see your team on the ice without you. You feel like you let them down a little bit. That said, no matter what, when I go out on the ice, I just try to do whatever I can to help the team. I just wanted to make sure I was ready to come back.”
Wilson’s stellar play extends beyond five-on-five. Since his return, the Capitals have killed 24 of the 27 penalties they’ve taken, and their 88.9 percent kill rate during that time frame ranks second in the NHL. Wilson is averaging 2:22 minutes on the penalty kill per game, the second-highest among Capitals forwards.
Wilson said the Capitals are continuing to find their game and grow as a group. He’s grateful to be a part of that process, going into his 400th career game this Friday when the Capitals host the New Jersey Devils at Capital One Arena.
“Flies by for sure,” Wilson said of this milestone. “It’s pretty cool. Every day you get to spend at this rink is a huge privilege. I’m a lucky guy to be around here for that long. I’m still just trying to improve every year.”
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