Tom Wilson Says Collision With Jeff Carter ‘Took Big Chunk Out’ Of Nose

Hockey players are a different breed and known for their toughness and durability, and Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson is no different.

While discussing his selection to his first career NHL All-Star Game on Wednesday, the tough guy revealed that a run-in with Penguins forward Jeff Carter “took a chunk out” of his nose. In the second period of Washington’s game against Pittsburgh, Wilson and Carter collided near the boards. No. 43 then skated off in pain before returning soon after.

“It was a lot of things. I think it was stick, me, skate, I don’t know. I got right into his knee or something. It was hard to tell,” Wilson said with regard to the play.

Tom Wilson took this knee to the head from Jeff Carter before going to the dressing room pic.twitter.com/CG5ycZEdPn

— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) February 2, 2022

Wilson said that whatever caught him up high ended up taking a “big chunk out” of his nose. Despite the large gash, the 27-year-old suffer any additional injuries on the play and appeared to feel that it wasn’t as bad as it looked.

“I kind of just slid down and something caught me. Took a big chunk out, but we’re all good,” Wilson said, adding with a shrug and smile, “No stitches. Just a big chunk. Whatever.”

READ MORE ON WHN: Tom Wilson Reflects On All-Star Weekend Selection

Wilson is having a strong year and is on pace to set a new career-high in scoring with 56 points, and he has also served as an alternate captain with the team seeing multiple players draw out of the lineup amid injuries and COVID. His standout performance earned him an invite to the NHL All-Star Game, where he will replace Alex Ovechkin (COVID-19). Evgeny Kuznetsov will be the other Capitals forward in attendance.

The NHL All-Star Weekend kicks off on Friday and Saturday. Washington will return from the All-Star Break with an optional skate on Monday at 3 p.m. ET. The Capitals then return to game action on Tuesday against Columbus.