Yahoo Sports Tom Wilson Has Broken Sinus Bone In Cheek, Discusses Aftermath Of Taking Jakob Chychrun Shot To Face: 'It's A Savage Sport'
ARLINGTON, V.A. — Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson is proof that hockey players are a different breed.
The 30-year-old took a Jakob Chychrun wrist shot to the left cheek in the first period of Saturday's contest against the Montreal Canadiens. The puck broke through one of the bones in his sinus cavity, resulting in pain and significant swelling.
Wilson missed all of a few minutes before returning and playing through it, scoring two goals en route to a 4-2 victory.
After the game and on the flight home — which got delayed and led to extended time on the tarmac — the swelling got significantly worse. After further tests, it was determined there was a small break.
"I look a lot better now, if you can believe it, than I did a few days ago. When I got home after the flight? Oh man, it wasn't good," Wilson said. "You go in to get a coffee somewhere and everyone's like... they were kinda looking at you funny."
Wilson said that the fracture is small and nothing major but he will be required to wear a full face shield for four weeks. That said, he's not a big fan of the fishbowl look.
"The bubble's fine as far as what you can see, but it can fog up, it's in the way when you look down, there's a grill there," Wilson explained. "You lose some peripherals. It's different, it's not great. But can't fight with the doctors on it — at least not yet."
Wilson expects to be good to go for Thursday's tilt with the Columbus Blue Jackets and said that he's feeling better and that it's improving each day. He also joked that he's forgiven Chychrun, but is expecting dinner or a bottle of wine.
"I think it can always be worse it can always be better. Kinda just deal with it once it happens, it's a tough sport, it's a savage sport," Wilson said. "Feel Lucky it wasn't worse."
