Hockey games can get quite juicy! Perhaps more so than other American sports even. You see the hits, the swinging punches, the referee interventions, and more drama to follow. We love watching how things dramatically unfold between the players. Hockey, with all its frenetic pace and flying sticks and intensity, is just ripe for physical tension. But this time we’ve witnessed something different Tom Wilson. A different kind of fight you may ask? Funnily enough, no, just the idea of one.
Whenever we talk about the Washington Capitals, Tom Wilson is near synonymous. He is known for his ‘fisticuffs’ and ‘suspension-worthy’ hits in the NHL. However, we have seen Wilson getting fewer penalty counts in recent seasons. Could be a possibility that he has been trying to shed the ‘baddie’ from his image. On the other hand, Wilson now stands with 54 points in 65 games this season, elevating him to a career high points haul. It looks like swapping penalties for points has been doing him wonders.
But then, what’s with Pat McAfee pointing out and showcasing a conversation between Tom Wilson and Ryan Strome in a video? Well, the Anaheim Ducks let fans sneak in on a mic’ed-up conversation between the two players and then referee Carter Sandlak’s hilarious interjection. And it turned into sheer hilarity, so much that McAfee couldn’t help but point out the ‘awesome’ moment on Twitter.
In the video, we see the two players standing near the penalty box while officials circle in between the players, making it a worthy watch for all of us. Tom Wilson says, “Other guy sticks his foot out while I’m skating up ice?” Strome follows with, “I think it’s a toe pick.” Tom Wilson can fight, but who knew he could be funny too!
Wilson added, “Bud, I’m hot this year. Most goal-scorers get those calls, Stromer.” Strome laughed it off, saying, ‘Oh, come on.’ And added, “Tommy, if you want to go center ice, I’ve been waiting my whole career for one.” And there is when the referee chimed in, saying, “I’d like to f***ing see that one!!” Wilson added, “Before you call it (a career), we’ve got to do it, man.” Then Sandlak said that he wanted to see it right away, to which Strome said, “Hey, you’ve got to f***ing put one hand behind your back.”
The NHL is MAGICAL for a lot of reasons
This moment between Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome was AWESOME..
Listen to the ref #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/tNIsh0P9nu
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 14, 2025
And then at the face-off circle, Wilson told Strome, “Here’s your chance.” But Dylan Strome simply laughed the suggestion off. “I’m not that stupid.” It’s a showcase of how Tom Wilson seemingly seems to have softened up a bit. It also showed the referee, who typically is present to maintain the law inside the game, in a new light as he indulged in the fun banter.
Tom Wilson is on a roll, getting crowned as 3rd star of the week
It’s a treat to see Tom Wilson breaking new ground. In turn, he has also been getting the recognition that his performances deserve. The NHL named Tom Wilson as their 3rd Star Of The Week after he recorded 7 points in 4 games.
Wilson had two assists in the 7-4 win against the Ducks. Furthermore, the Capitals star bagged his 11th shorthanded career goal on 7th March against the Detroit Red Wings and surpassed Brooks Laich for the most such goals in franchise history.
Wilson earned his fifth career overtime goal against the Rangers and contributed to a 4-2 win for the Capitals. He also scored a hat trick against the Senators on 3rd March, with an assist, followed by 5 penalty minutes, as you do. Or as Tom Wilson does.
Wilson is racking up a standout season offensively. Not just that, he is also sitting at a solid +20 in the plus/minus column. The 29 goals mark his career best, falling only behind Ovechkin, who is at 33. It’s safe to say that Wilson has been a force to be reckoned with every time he hits the ice, leading the team with utmost dedication.
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