There are still a lot of hard feelings regarding what happened during the Vancouver Canucks‘ matchup with the Washington Capitals on Sunday. However, there will be no punishment for the player who knocked one of the Canucks’ key players out of action.
The incident happened in the final minute of the first period. Chytil was skating through the neutral zone, admiring a pass up the boards, before getting hit by Wilson before crossing the red line. The Czech centre remained on the ice in quite a bit of distress before being helped to the bench and down the tunnel. The play was reviewed, but it was determined there wasn’t enough to warrant a penalty on Wilson.
Wilson is a player with a laundry list of history with the NHL Department of Player Safety. Six times throughout Wilson’s NHL career, he has been suspended, with the most recent coming in 2024. The Capitals forward was suspended for six games for high-sticking Noah Gregor.
Chytil did not return to the game, though the Canucks managed to pull out a 4-3 win on the road.
Chytil, along with Jonathan Lekkerimäki, were placed on injured reserve retroactive to Sunday’s game. Both will remain out of action for at least a week, as they’ll be eligible to return to the lineup on Tuesday, Oct. 28, when Vancouver hosts the New York Rangers. However, the team has not reported any updates on either forward. Through six games this season, Chytil has scored three goals, 15 shots on goal and an even plus/minus in 15:38 minutes of average ice time.
The Canucks (4-2-0) are set to visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.
