NEW YORK — The NHL has suspended Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson three games for an illegal hit on Pittsburgh's Zach Aston-Reese.
The league announced the suspension on Wednesday night, a day after Wilson broke Aston-Reese's jaw with a violent collision near the Washington bench in the second period of Washington's 4-3 Game 3 victory over the Penguins.
Aston-Reese was stickhandling near the Capitals bench when Wilson drilled the rookie with his left shoulder. The force propelled Wilson up into the Washington bench while Aston-Reese lay on the ice for several moments before skating off. He was later diagnosed with a concussion and a broken jaw.
While Wilson was not penalized during the game, the league's Department of Player Safety called for a hearing. The league noted that Aston-Reese's head was the main point of contact and that the hit was avoidable in announcing the suspension.
Game 4 is scheduled for Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
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The Associated Press
