LIVE BY THE SWORD, DIE BY THE SWORD

Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals took a high hit from Tampa Bay defenseman Anton Stralman last night, then complained about it after:

“It’s a vulnerable position, and no doubt there’s contact with my head. I’m just talking about it for the better of the game and the better of player safety.”

“…better of the game and the better of player safety.” Wilson said that. He sounds really concerned. Ha! What a crock.

If you live by the sword, you die by the sword. If you hit high – which Wilson does, constantly, three times in these playoffs alone – don’t kvetch when you get hit high.

Wilson broke Zach Aston-Reese’s head. He’s got zero right to complain about the love tap Stralman delivered last night.

Washington appeared to be in firm control of the Eastern Conference final, but Tampa Bay looked sharp in winning Game 3, seizing a 3-0 lead by the 3:37 mark of the second period and then storming to a 4-2 victory.

Nikita Kucherov got just one goal in five games during Tampa Bay’s second-round series win over Boston, and had none against Washington before netting last night. Kucherov also added a nifty assist on Victor Hedman’s goal.

Kucherov is Tampa Bay’s biggest threat. If the Lightning is to continue their comeback, he must keep producing. The Lightning must also limit Washington’s odd-man breaks, as they did last night.