‘I have to be smarter.’

‘I have to be smarter.’

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Monday against the Bruins, Tom Wilson fought for the first time this season. The 1.80 m Wilson played hands with a 1.8 m agitator Trent Frederic, who had 148 PIMs with AHL Providence Bruins last season.

At the time, the capitals were leading 3-2 with 11:11 remaining in the third period. The capitals would lose the game 5-3.

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Wilson and Frederic dropped their gloves immediately after a confrontation in the neutral zone and positioned themselves in the center of the ice. Both teams stood up in their seats. Wilson and Frederic exchanged big punches that missed the target before the Bruins striker landed a wild blow and fell.

“The opportunity presented itself,” said Frederic, “and it worked very well.”

The fight took Wilson, who is one of the most important and versatile strikers in the Capitals, out of the ice at the time of crunch against one of the best teams in MassMutual East. Frederic is one of the last six players at Bruins. Boston took advantage immediately.

A few minutes after Wilson and Frederic’s big penalties, Jeremy Lauzon found Craig Smith open for a one-timer in the left circle. Tie game.

Both players remained in the area when Brandon Carlo landed a shot from Vitek Vanecek to give the Bruins the lead at the end of the third period.

“In the box, I was like a kid inside, jumping when we scored,” said Frederic. “It was nice to watch that.”

Brad Marchand would add an empty net goal, giving the Bruins five unanswered goals. The defeat would be the first of the capital cities in regulation this season.

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy gave Frederic credit for changing the pace of the game.

“I think Freddy had a lot to do with the fight with Wilson,” said Cassidy. “It kind of caught the attention of everyone at the bank. This is arguably the toughest guy in the National Hockey League. And Freddy stayed there and gave us a little push. I don’t know what that does to their team, but I know it gave us a boost. “

“Unbelievable work done by him,” added David Pastrnak. “He had a great fight and gave a lot of energy to our bank. It was unbelievable. He is a great striker and has done a lot for the victory today ”.

After the game, Peter Laviolette chose his words carefully, but he was clearly not happy with Wilson’s decision.

“Things get hectic outside,” said Laviolette. “You are playing against a team against which you are competing within your division, a back-to-back (s). I think the guys get a little irritated. This had been going on for a good part of two games. “

Frederic tried to incite Wilson to fight on Saturday, but Wilson passed.

“I just think Tom is an important piece for our team,” said Laviolette. “I appreciate your endurance and physicality. But we also enjoy it on the ice. It is hard. Emotions are high outside. “

Former Capitals boxer Alan May said on NBC Sports Washington’s postgame show that he was skeptical that the fight gave the Bruins a boost, but Wilson’s biggest sin was not being on the ice during “the most critical moment of the game” .

Wilson said on Tuesday after training that he felt the momentum changing and thought the fight could help. Ultimately, he regretted the decision when he saw the Bruins draw and took the lead.

“In the back of my head, I’m thinking that it can create some energy,” said Wilson. “In retrospect, it’s a one-goal game. I would like to stay on the ice for a few minutes. I would like to help the team with energy on the ice, hitting and skating, and not necessarily sitting in the box.

“I think it was a waste,” concluded Wilson. “It was a short fight. They went out and scored some goals. I think I have to be smarter. It is probably something he wanted to do. “

Screenshot courtesy of NESN

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