The NHL has fined Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson $5,000 for punching Pavel Buchnevich in the back of the head while New York Rangers forward was laying down on the ice. The fine is the maximum allowed under the league’s current collective bargaining agreement.
Wilson will neither be suspended nor face any additional disciplinary actions for the punch or slamming Rangers star Artemi Panarin on the ice.
Wilson sparked a large scrum between both teams during the second period of Monday’s game. He initially took down Buchnevich with his stick before delivering the punch. Panarin took offense and joined the melee. But, Wilson violently slammed him on the ice.
Wilson earned a 10-minute misconduct and four minutes for roughing once officials were able to halt the scrum.
Panarin was injured and did not return to the game with a lower-body injury.
Wilson has a reputation for controversial hits. He was suspended four times in a span of 105 games, culminating with a 2018 suspension of 20-games, which was later reduced to 14, for an illegal hit to the head on Oskar Sundqvist.
This season, Wilson was suspended seven games for an illegal hit on Boston Bruins’ Brandon Carlo. Carlo spent a night in the hospital after being hit against the boards.
