Tom Wilson Said Taking Puck To Face Felt Like 'Side Of My Face Was Falling Off'; Capitals React To His Return & Subsequent Two-Goal Surge

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson couldn't really process what had happened when Jakob Chychrun's blistering point shot hit him square in the left cheek on Saturday.

He grabbed his face in pain and made his way to the bench to see athletic trainer Jason Serbus before heading to the locker room.

"When the puck hits you, I feel like the side of my face is falling off a little," Wilson told reporters after the team's win over the Montreal Canadiens. "Am I bleeding, am I cut? What's going on?"

From there, Wilson underwent a few tests as his teammates — along with head coach Spencer Carbery — collectively held their breath.

"I thought whether it was teeth or jaw, I was worried that it was gonna be something long-term," Carbery said.

"I thought it was a broken jaw, to be honest," Dylan Strome added. "Chych has the hardest wrist shot ever."

Ultimately, he felt well enough to return and got the green light from the medical team that he was good to go, so after a few minutes, he returned for the end of the first period, icing his cheek between shifts.

"I was kinda told growing up if you're good to play, you play," Wilson said. "Did a couple tests and was good enough to get back out there," Wilson said.

In the third, he kicked things into higher gear. He struck twice to help his team rally from a 2-1 deficit for a 4-2 victory, which extended the Capitals' historic road win streak to nine games.

"He came back to the bench looking a little bigger than normal, but guy's a warrior. Nothing else to say," Strome said. "Warrior, and got it done. After he got hit, we all knew he was scoring."

And of course, his teammates had to have some fun at his expense, too.

"Good thing Tom has a big head," Logan Thompson cracked before seriously adding, "If that was me, I don't know if I'd be back in the game."

Washington will have the day off on Sunday, giving Wilson a chance to recover. He noted that he's feeling better now, but knows that the plane ride back to D.C. may not help.

"It won’t look too pretty in the morning I don’t think," Wilson said.