No penalty called for Capitals’ Tom Wilson kneeing Penguins’ Conor Sheary (Video)

During Game 1 of the series between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins, Caps RW Tom Wilson aggressively rammed into Pens LW Conor Sheary, flipping him onto the ice.

You always expect fierce physicality in hockey, let alone in playoff hockey. But you also expect punishment when that aggression approaches dangerous violence.

Wilson certainly has a reputation as a bruiser on the ice, but so his behavior is not nearly as shocking as its outcome. Early in period three of Game 1 between the Eastern Conference teams, Pittsburgh forward Sheary was in the neutral zone, handling the puck along the boards. Suddenly, Wilson appeared beside him and asserted a knee-on-knee hit before the rookie could plan an escape.

no penalty called pic.twitter.com/sW9Us9Ww4j

— Stephanie (@myregularface) April 29, 2016

To all witnessing eyes, this was clearly a dirty act intending to hurt Sheary, and the young Pens’ look of anguish while on the bench showed that the desired effect was implemented. But the officials called no penalty on the play.

With the game tied 3-3 with minutes left in the third, Sheary’s sidelining could seriously damage the Penguins’ gameplay, as he has produced two goals an an assist while on Crosby’s line. Should the Penguins ultimately lose Game 1 to the Caps, it’s likely this play will be examined closer by NHL officials.