Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson is one of the Capitals’ most well-rounded players, being utilized in multiple on-ice situations when the need arises. On Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres, Wilson proved his versatility by scoring a shorthanded goal to give the Capitals an extended lead.
With teammate T.J. Oshie in the penalty box on a high-sticking call, Wilson and the Caps were faced with a shorthanded situation. With the Capitals hemmed in their defensive zone by the Sabres, Wilson outmatched Sabres forward Sam Reinhart along the boards, and soon found himself in on Buffalo goaltender Linus Ullmark with Nic Dowd trailing. Looking behind him briefly, Wilson faked and slid the puck past the outstretched pad of Ullmark to give the Caps a 2-0 lead on the penalty kill.
The takeaway ➡️ the shorty, Tom Wilson can do it all!! pic.twitter.com/ttg1p7Ps52
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 19, 2021
The goal was Wilson’s sixth of the 2020-21 season and marked his 13th point (six goals, seven assists) in 13 games played this season. It also marked his fifth career shorthanded goal and the first for the Caps this season.
Wilson was asked after the game what he heard from Nic Dowd who was trailing on the play. He said Dowd was screaming “No, No, No:”, as in don’t pass it back to him.
Tom Wilson about Nic Dowd trailing on his breakaway goal: “He was screaming, No, No, No”#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/5jBU0Z1OfG
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 19, 2021
The former first-round pick has scored at least one shorthanded goal in each of the last four seasons.
Wilson’s goal marks his fifth career goal shorthanded. He’s scored at least one shorthanded goal in each of the last four seasons. It’s the first shorthanded goal scored by the Capitals this season.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 19, 2021
The Capitals headed into the second intermission with a 2-0 lead over the Sabres.
look at the silky mitts on this beauty pic.twitter.com/6ibOvRogPR
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 19, 2021
By Michael Fleetwood
