Tom Wilson: “No Need to Fight” During Caps’ Hot Streak

Two games ago, this Monday at Verizon Center, Capitals forward Tom Wilson repeatedly declined the opportunity to starting[sic] punching an opponent in the face. Washington had taken a 2-1 lead, which eventually held up, early into the second period. Seeking a spark for the visiting Colorado Avalanche, forward Cody McLeod grew hungry for a fight.

“He was asking everyone on our team,” Wilson recalled. “I said, ‘Listen, there’s just those games when you feel good, your line’s playing well, you don’t want to sit for five minutes in the box because you’re going to miss good shifts, you’re going to miss an opportunity to contribute offensively.’

“I just told him. He understands. He’s just trying to get his team going. There’s no point, if we’re up in the game, to allow him any chance to get his team going on the road, take the crowd out of it or whatever.”

So began a lengthy conversation Friday afternoon with Wilson here at Bridgestone Arena, at once touching on the fascinating etiquette of NHL fights and why the Capitals have declined to engage over their recent hot streak. Since Dec. 20, every other team except Washington and Detroit has sparred at least once, with 22 dropping the gloves on multiple occasions, according to Hockeyfights.com.