Tom Wilson said that he understands the message the NHL is trying to send by fining him for his knee-to-knee hit on Connor Sheary in the first game of the Washington Capitals’ second-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Wilson was fined $2,403.67, which is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement, for hitting Sheary as he left the ice at 4:07 of the third period of the Capitals’ 4-3 overtime win.
It appeared that Wilson went out of his way to strike Sheary’s left knee with his own left knee, but Wilson said that he was merely trying to “bluff check” the Penguins left wing.