Maybe Tom Wilson will learn his lesson now.
On Wednesday, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced a 20-game suspension for Wilson after an illegal check to the head in a preseason game.
Capitals head coach Todd Reirden told reporters on Thursday he expects Wilson to appeal the suspension, and on Friday the NHLPA filed on his behalf. The appeal will be heard by Gary Bettman.
In the second period of Washington's exhibition contest against the St. Louis Blues on Sept. 30, Wilson struck Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist in the head on an open-ice hit as Sundqvist was taking the puck into the attacking zone.
Tom Wilson's hit on Oskar Sundqvist. Wilson received a match penalty. pic.twitter.com/gseYif7Fz4
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) September 30, 2018
Wilson received a match penalty while Sundqvist laid on the ice for a few moments before going back to the locker room with a cut on his right cheek.
The rugged and controversial Caps winger had an in-person hearing in New York on Wednesday, where the extra punishment was determined, leaning helavily on his repeat offender status. Along with the 20-game ban, Wilson will miss Wednesday banner-raising ceremony in Washington when the Caps open up against the Boston Bruins.
Washington’s Tom Wilson suspended twenty games for an Illegal Check to the Head on St. Louis’ Oskar Sundqvist. https://t.co/ojQ4yN6oFN
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 3, 2018
The hit adds to Wilson's extensive history of questionable plays. Most recently, Wilson's hit to the head on Pittsburgh's Zach Aston-Reese in Game 3 of the second round in last season's Stanley Cup Playoffs led to a three-game suspension.
In last year's preseason, Wilson had two incidents against the Blues that led to discipline. The first came on Sept. 22 when he delivered a shattering hit to Robert Thomas. Wilson was suspended for the next two preseason games, making his return eight days later against St. Louis.
In that game, Wilson boarded Sam Blais, resulting in a major penalty and a game misconduct. He was later issued a four-game suspension for the first four regular season games. Wilson lost $97,560.96 in game checks.
Prior to the 2017 preseason, Wilson had at least seven questionable hits, but was only fined once and did not serve any suspensions.