#1 Tom Wilson
Tom Wilson was the hero of the previous Caps game as he recorded his first career hat trick in his 700th career game. Per NHL Stats, Wilson became the second player in NHL history to record a hat trick in their 700th career game, joining Phil Goyette who did it in a 3-0 New York Rangers win over the Los Angeles Kings in 1968.
Two of Wilson’s three goals came on the power play which marked his first career game with multiple power play goals. It couldn’t have came at a better time as the Caps went over an hour in power play time without scoring on the man advantage.
Wilson now has seven goals this season which rank second on the Capitals, trailing only Dylan Strome by one. All of Wilson’s 700 career games have came while playing for the Capitals as he was taken in the first round at 16th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft.
Among players who made their debuts with the Capitals, Wilson became the fourth youngest player to reach the 700 career game mark. Tonight he’s back in Vegas where he lifted the Stanley Cup five years ago with his best friend Ryan Reaves watching from the press box as a healthy scratch.
You can catch tonight’s game at 10 p.m. eastern on Monumental Sports Network.