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Capitals: Top 3 key players to watch against Hurricanes

By Michael Marzzacco

RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 28: Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) during the warmups of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the Washington Capitals on December 28th, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 28: Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) during the warmups of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the Washington Capitals on December 28th, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 08: Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals skates the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers on January 8, 2020 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 08: Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals skates the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers on January 8, 2020 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Tom Wilson

Taking the ice for his 500th game tonight is Tom Wilson so naturally we had to include him on this list. It’s hard to believe we’ve seen #43 on the ice for that long but time flies.

Per the game notes, Wilson is the 28th player in Capitals franchise history to play in his 500th NHL game and the third player from the 2012 NHL Draft class to reach the mark. The other players from that class that did it were Alex Galchenyuk and Morgan Rielly.

Wilson is 25 years and 290 days old and will become the third youngest player and the youngest forward in franchise history to play in 500 games. Defensemen Scott Stevens and Kevin Hatcher were the other two.

Wilson enters tonight’s game with points in six of his last 10 games with a gaol and seven assists as well as 30 points on the season. He’s on pace to finish with 24 goals and 54 points which would surpass career highs that he set last season.

Wilson has recorded 22 goals and 26 assists over his last 82 games, a stretch that begins almost one year ago on Jan. 15, 2019. He is also on pace for 122 penalty minutes which would be a career-low.

Related Story. Capitals vs. Hurricanes game info. light

Wilson is one of those reliable players that has a two-way game. If you prepare for his physicality, you aren’t ready for his offense. More importantly, his durability ensures that Washington has one of the best top sixes in the league and makes sure nobody messes with the Capitals top stars.

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