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Report: Capitals Tom Wilson 20-Game Suspension Reduced By Arbitrator

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Tom Wilson: Photo Credit Michael Miller @PensRyourdaddy

Washington Capitals Forward Tom Wilson had his suspension reduced from 20 games to 14 games by an independent arbitrator, Tuesday according to a report from Sportsnet reporter Elliotte Friedman.

Wilson was suspended for 20 games on Oct. 3 due to his blindside headshot on defenseless St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist in a preseason game. Sundqvist laid prostrate on the ice for several minutes afterward.

The Capitals have already played 16 games, so Wilson will receive compensation for two games missed.

The suspension was Wilson’s fourth suspension in the past 13 months, but also his fourth in a 105 game span, which made the frequency “unprecedented,” according to the NHL. However, arbitrator Shyam Das took issue with the NHL Department of Player Safety using a three-times multiplier. Das reduced it to 2x.

Wilson was suspended twice last preseason for malicious hits on St. Louis Blues forwards. The hits occurred in different games. He was suspended for two preseason games for a boarding coal on Robert Thomas. Eight days later, he was suspended for four regular-season games after a head hit ton St. Louis prospect Sam Blais. Wilson also was suspended for three games last May after a vicious head-shot on Penguins rookie Zach Aston-Reese during the Second Round of the NHL playoffs.

Aston-Reese was concussed and suffered a broken jaw. He was not able to eat solid foods until mid-August. Aston-Reese told PHN he did not need or want an apology from Wilson. 

The first two games between the Penguins and Washington, including the opening night game and last Thursday, have seen little rough play or abnormal hits. The Penguins next game against the Capitals is Dec. 19, in Washington.

Things may be different then.