Tom Wilson goes knee-on-knee with Conor Sheary, no penalty (Video)

Washington Capitals blunt force object Tom Wilson was going to be a physical presence in their second-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and didn’t waste any time in Game 1 making that presence known.

And, as Tom Wilson is one to do, crossing the line of legality in doing so.

As Wilson skated back to the Capitals bench on a change, he suddenly veered to this left so he could deliver a knee-on-knee leg-whip to Penguins forward Conor Sheary, who went back to the bench gingerly but played a regular shift in the third period after the hit.

No penalty was called on the play. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan emphatically informed the referees he was displeased with this at the next stoppage. Said Sullivan: “I didn’t get an explanation. I’m not concerned. We’re going to play hockey.”

Wilson earned a roughing call in a second-period tussle with Evgeni Malkin, who was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for diving. 

Does Sullivan expect NHL Player Safety to get involved?

“I have no idea. But those guys are pretty diligent with their job and they’ll go what they think is appropriate.”

Here’s the NBC analysis. It’s weird. 

—

Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at [email protected] or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY