Tom Wilson Reveals How Win Against Carolina Hurricanes Tougher Than Other Games Amid Playoffs Stress: “Fight for Every Inch”

The climb is only going to get steeper from here on for the Washington Capitals. “We knew that it would have to be our best,” said forward Pierre-Luc Dubois, after the Caps defeated the Montreal Canadiens to advance to Round 2 of the 2025 playoffs. However, unknown to Dubois, the team was only staring at harder times ahead, but his teammate, Tom Wilson, isn’t one to shy away from calling a rock a rock.

After a poor beginning to the second round of the postseason, the Capitals finally managed to get on level terms as they defeated the Hurricanes 3-1 at the Capital One Arena last night. With one goal and an assist, Tom Wilson played a crucial role in getting Washington even the odds against its Metropolitan Division opponents. However, the 31-year-old winger also knows that Carolina shouldn’t be taken lightly at any cost.

In a YouTube upload by the official Capitals account from May 8, Tom Wilson, with goalie Logan Thompson by his side, could be heard talking about their Round 2 opponents in the post-match presser. On being asked how John Carlson’s goal (the second one of the night by the Caps) in the power play of the third period gave Washington the hosts a breathing space, Tom confessed it was crucial, especially against a team like Carolina. “The games are so tight this time of year, especially playing against Carolina. We know it’s going to be a fight for every inch type of game,” the winger said.

“I think we knew we wanted to push. We knew we were going to need some insurance because they got good players. You never want to be satisfied with a one-goal game,” Tom went on to highlight why having just one goal advantage on the Hurricanes is never a good enough gap. Wilson admitted that it was that extra goal that helped calm the nerves of the Caps players on the ice last night. “It was nice to have that extra goal to be able to defend the lead,” he said.

Shayne Gostisbehere gave the Hurricanes some hope as he put one in the Caps’ net soon after Carlson’s goal, but Tom Wilson found an empty net to put in the last nail in the Canes’ coffin. “He does it all. He’s the heart of the team. He drives the bus every night for us,” Brandon Duhaime said of Wilson. However, the victory might not have been possible without a vigilant Thompson guarding Washington’s goal with eagle eyes. The Caps’ netminder made 27 saves in Game 2, with 16 of those coming in the third period alone.

“He’s our wall back there…He’s been our MVP all year,” Tom lauded his goalie for the incredible performance that allowed the offensive line to go all in for last night’s game. Maybe the victory would also help Aliaksei Protas to have something to smile about after his sole goal for the Caps was nullified in Game 1 as the Hurricanes clinched their first win of the best-of-seven series. But could the good days last long enough to carry the Capitals all the way to Stanley Cup triumph?

Tom Wilson desperate to make his captain’s feat even sweeter?

This has been quite the season as a Washington fan. Back in April, Caps captain Alex Ovechkin smashed through Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record to become the highest-ever goalscorer in NHL history. For understandable reasons, fans were eager to see if that seminal triumph gave his teammates an additional boost to the system ahead of the playoffs. But alas!

Soon after Ovie’s thunderous achievement, the Capitals suffered two massive losses to the Blue Jackets (one of them ending with a shambolic 7-0 final result), causing many to panic. However, that couldn’t stop Spencer Carbery’s boys from making it to the postseason, who were the first side to qualify for the playoffs this year. Thankfully, though, the Caps looked like their regular self once they clashed against the Canadiens in Round 1. And needless to say, Tom Wilson played a pivotal role in that series win as well.

In Game 3 between Washington and Montreal, the fistfight between Wilson and the Hurricanes’ Josh Anderson spilled onto the Caps’ bench, scenes that are a rarity in hockey. The fans were shocked, but that also showed how Tom was hell bent on defending the fort, even at the cost of being suspended. Maybe it was because of this dedication that Ovechkin hailed the team’s alternate captain as “our leader.”

So, do you think Tom Wilson will be ready to carry the team on his broad shoulders again when the Caps hit the road for Game 3 on Saturday? Tell us your thoughts!