Poll: How many games should Tom Wilson be suspended for his hit on Aston-Reese?

For the second straight game in the series, Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson delivered a devastating hit to a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

After avoiding discipline for his hit on defenseman Brian Dumoulin in Game 2, Wilson leveled rookie Zach Aston-Reese with a head shot and will now have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety.

The hit left Aston-Reese with a broken jaw and a concussion.

It seems Wilson's luck has run out as he's likely to be suspended for his latest infraction. The question now is how many games does he deserve to sit?

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IIHF suspends 5 Swedish players, 3 coaches for medal ceremony incident at WJHC

The IIHF has doled out suspensions to five Swedish players and three coaches for their actions during the medal ceremony at the conclusion of the 2018 world juniors in Buffalo.

Following a 3-1 loss in the final to Canada, several Swedish players were seen taking their silver medals off their necks, most notably captain Lias Andersson, who famously tossed his consolation prize into the stands.

Although the event ended nearly four months ago, here are the issued suspensions for the players involved:

  • Andersson: Four games
  • Forward Axel Jonsson: Two games
  • Forward Jesper Boqvist: Two games
  • Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin: Two games
  • Goalie Olle Eriksson Ek: Two games

All punishments are enforced for the 2019 world junior tournament, except for Dahlin, the consensus No. 1 pick in June's draft, who has been banned from the first two games of the 2019 U18 World Championship.

According to the IIHF, each player violated Regulations Article 5.5.8 of the tournament rulebook, which states all players and team officials have to wear their medals around their necks in a respectful manner for the duration of the closing ceremony and postgame media procedures.

"Taking off the silver medals presented to the players shows not only the disrespect against the spectators and the organizers of the championship, but also the disrespect against their opponents and winners of the championship. The fact that the players afterwards have apologized for their behavior and have assured that they had no intentions to be disrespectful to anyone, does not excuse the actions," the IIHF said.

As for the coaching staff, the disciplinary board suspended head coach Tomas Monten three games for the 2019 world juniors, and assistants Nizze Landen and Henrik Stridh for two each.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

IIHF suspends 5 Swedish players, 3 coaches for medal ceremony incident at WJHC

The IIHF has doled out suspensions to five Swedish players and three coaches for their actions during the medal ceremony at the conclusion of the 2018 world juniors in Buffalo.

Following a 3-1 loss in the final to Canada, several Swedish players were seen taking their silver medals off their necks, most notably captain Lias Andersson, who famously tossed his consolation prize into the stands.

Although the event ended nearly four months ago, here are the issued suspensions for the players involved:

  • Andersson: Four games
  • Forward Axel Jonsson: Two games
  • Forward Jesper Boqvist: Two games
  • Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin: Two games
  • Goalie Olle Eriksson Ek: Two games

All punishments are enforced for the 2019 world junior tournament, except for Dahlin, the consensus No. 1 pick in June's draft, who has been banned from the first two games of the 2019 U18 World Championship.

According to the IIHF, each player violated Regulations Article 5.5.8 of the tournament rulebook, which states all players and team officials have to wear their medals around their necks in a respectful manner for the duration of the closing ceremony and postgame media procedures.

"Taking off the silver medals presented to the players shows not only the disrespect against the spectators and the organizers of the championship, but also the disrespect against their opponents and winners of the championship. The fact that the players afterwards have apologized for their behavior and have assured that they had no intentions to be disrespectful to anyone, does not excuse the actions," the IIHF said.

As for the coaching staff, the disciplinary board suspended head coach Tomas Monten three games for the 2019 world juniors, and assistants Nizze Landen and Henrik Stridh for two each.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Capitals’ Wilson will have hearing for hit on Penguins’ Aston-Reese

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson will have a hearing Wednesday for his check to the head of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced.

In Game 3 Tuesday, and for the second straight contest, Wilson delivered a questionable hit, this time to Aston-Reese at the midway point of the second period. Wilson was not assessed a penalty on the play, but the hit left Aston-Reese with a broken jaw and a concussion.

In Game 2, Wilson hit Brian Dumoulin with what appeared to be a head shot, but avoided any discipline after the league determined Dumoulin had turned at the last minute.

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Views from the Jets’ whiteout in Winnipeg

Winnipeg, Manitoba is rarely mentioned as a destination that needs to be on your vacation itinerary. But anyone who's traveled to the hockey-mad city to witness the hometown Jets take the ice at Bell MTS Place knows it's a true spectacle of sport - especially in the playoffs.

For everyone who couldn't make the trip to southern Manitoba, here are some of the best photos and clips from the Jets' 7-4 smackdown of the Nashville Predators in Game 3.

The game, the crowd, the atmosphere - Tuesday night was a special one for the Winnipeg whiteout.

The calm before the storm.

Two CF-18 Hornets from the Royal Canadian Air Force helped get the crowd fired up before puck drop.

Apparently, the Jets faithful got the memo about the all-white attire.

Yeah, that atmosphere looks like a little bit of fun.

What's a postseason hockey game without crushing a few cold ones?

Make sure the sound is on and up for this clip of Dustin Byfuglien's go-ahead goal. Seems just a wee bit rowdy at Bell MTS Place.

Speaking of Big Buff, he had one of the best postseason games of his career, notching two goals and an assist.

Head to toe, hockey heads in Winnipeg are doing it right.

Blake Wheeler's game-winning goal in the third period sealed the victory for the Jets on a ridiculously raucous night in the Peg.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Views from the Jets’ whiteout in Winnipeg

Winnipeg, Manitoba is rarely mentioned as a destination that needs to be on your vacation itinerary. But anyone who's traveled to the hockey-mad city to witness the hometown Jets take the ice at Bell MTS Place knows it's a true spectacle of sport - especially in the playoffs.

For everyone who couldn't make the trip to southern Manitoba, here are some of the best photos and clips from the Jets' 7-4 smackdown of the Nashville Predators in Game 3.

The game, the crowd, the atmosphere - Tuesday night was a special one for the Winnipeg whiteout.

The calm before the storm.

Two CF-18 Hornets from the Royal Canadian Air Force helped get the crowd fired up before puck drop.

Apparently, the Jets faithful got the memo about the all-white attire.

Yeah, that atmosphere looks like a little bit of fun.

What's a postseason hockey game without crushing a few cold ones?

Make sure the sound is on and up for this clip of Dustin Byfuglien's go-ahead goal. Seems just a wee bit rowdy at Bell MTS Place.

Speaking of Big Buff, he had one of the best postseason games of his career, notching two goals and an assist.

Head to toe, hockey heads in Winnipeg are doing it right.

Blake Wheeler's game-winning goal in the third period sealed the victory for the Jets on a ridiculously raucous night in the Peg.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Capitals grab series lead vs. Penguins for 1st time since 2016

This may be their year.

For the first time since Game 1 of their 2016 matchup, the Washington Capitals have edged the Pittsburgh Penguins for the lead in a playoff series.

The Capitals defeated the Penguins 4-3 in Game 3 on Tuesday, putting themselves up 2-1 thanks to a late winner by captain Alex Ovechkin.

This spring marks the third straight playoff meeting between Pittsburgh and Washington. Here's how the last two series played out:

2017

Game Matchup Score Series
1 PIT @ WSH 3-2 Penguins 1-0 PIT
2 PIT @ WSH 6-2 Penguins 2-0 PIT
3 WSH @ PIT 3-2 (OT) Capitals 2-1 PIT
4 WSH @ PIT 3-2 Penguins 3-1 PIT
5 PIT @ WSH 4-2 Capitals 3-2 PIT
6 WSH @ PIT 5-2 Capitals 3-3
7 PIT @ WSH 2-0 Penguins 4-3 PIT

2016

Game Matchup Score Series
1 PIT @ WSH 4-3 (OT) Capitals 1-0 WSH
2 PIT @ WSH 2-1 Penguins 1-1
3 WSH @ PIT 3-2 Penguins 2-1 PIT
4 WSH @ PIT 3-2 (OT) Penguins 3-1 PIT
5 PIT @ WSH 3-1 Capitals 3-2 PIT
6 WSH @ PIT 4-3 (OT) Penguins 4-2 PIT

The Capitals have the chance to push their series lead to 3-1 when they head to Pittsburgh for Game 4 on Thursday.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Capitals grab series lead vs. Penguins for 1st time since 2016

This may be their year.

For the first time since Game 1 of their 2016 matchup, the Washington Capitals have edged the Pittsburgh Penguins for the lead in a playoff series.

The Capitals defeated the Penguins 4-3 in Game 3 on Tuesday, putting themselves up 2-1 thanks to a late winner by captain Alex Ovechkin.

This spring marks the third straight playoff meeting between Pittsburgh and Washington. Here's how the last two series played out:

2017

Game Matchup Score Series
1 PIT @ WSH 3-2 Penguins 1-0 PIT
2 PIT @ WSH 6-2 Penguins 2-0 PIT
3 WSH @ PIT 3-2 (OT) Capitals 2-1 PIT
4 WSH @ PIT 3-2 Penguins 3-1 PIT
5 PIT @ WSH 4-2 Capitals 3-2 PIT
6 WSH @ PIT 5-2 Capitals 3-3
7 PIT @ WSH 2-0 Penguins 4-3 PIT

2016

Game Matchup Score Series
1 PIT @ WSH 4-3 (OT) Capitals 1-0 WSH
2 PIT @ WSH 2-1 Penguins 1-1
3 WSH @ PIT 3-2 Penguins 2-1 PIT
4 WSH @ PIT 3-2 (OT) Penguins 3-1 PIT
5 PIT @ WSH 3-1 Capitals 3-2 PIT
6 WSH @ PIT 4-3 (OT) Penguins 4-2 PIT

The Capitals have the chance to push their series lead to 3-1 when they head to Pittsburgh for Game 4 on Thursday.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.