Tom Wilson landed a huge hit at the end of the first period against the Vancouver Canucks that nearly landed him in some hot water.
After Filip Chytil made a pass in the neutral zone, Wilson knocked him loopy with a punishing hit, nailing the Canucks forward in the chest about a second after he released the puck. The open-ice hit crumpled Chytil to the ice and eventually knocked him woozily down to the tunnel and out of the game.
The play occurred with 40 seconds remaining in the first period, and the Capitals down 3-0.
Wilson was initially whistled for a major penalty due to the severity of the hit and to give officials a chance to review video of the play. Ultimately, Wilson’s body check was ruled “a good hockey hit,” and he was not penalized at all.
Chytil was officially ruled out of the rest of the game due to injury at the beginning of the second period.
Forwards Filip Chytil and Jonathan Lekkerimäki will not return to today’s game.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 19, 2025
Wilson’s hit puts into focus just how dangerous some bodychecks can still be in the NHL, even if they’re landed clean and by the letter of the law. Chytil’s head violently whiplashed after he was crushed by the much larger Wilson in the chest.
Fortunately, Chytil was able to get up and leave the ice, though with some help from his teammates.