Tom Wilson Refining His Game

“It’s going to be important for him to have a physical presence, to play within [and] between the whistles and to not take penalties. … I mean, we played a game there two weeks ago; it was emotional. You’ve got to be able to stay focused within that emotion because the ultimate outcome is to win the game. It’s not to get even or to get up on someone physically, and I think you’ve got to manage that. I think you still have to play physical, but you want to win that game. You can’t take penalties.”

That’s been an issue for Wilson not only this year, but throughout his first three seasons in the NHL. He’s third in the league in penalty minutes this season with 163, averaging nearly two penalty minutes per game. That’s down from the 172 penalty minutes he racked up last season in fewer games played, but Wilson has had at least 150 penalty minutes every season he’s played.