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tRY IT NOWWASHINGTON — Leave it to Tom Wilson to kick the Rangers while they’re down.
The notorious Capitals agitator was at the crux of the Blueshirts’ 6-3 loss in our nation’s capital Wednesday.
Playing a major role in extending the Rangers’ losing streak to three games, Wilson also knocked rookie Noah Laba out of the game to create yet another injury concern in New York.
Fueled by the phone call he received hours earlier informing him he was going to the 2026 Olympic Games with Team Canada, Wilson terrorized the Rangers and posted a Gordie Howe hat trick in the process.
Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (16) reacts as the Capitals celebrate Anthony Beuvillier’s goal during the first period on Dec. 31, 2025. Hannah Foslien-Imagn Images
Tom Wilson delivers a hit during the Rangers’ Dec. 31 game against the Capitals. AP“I think that’s the highest honor you can receive as a hockey player is to be called by your country to play in the Olympics,” Wilson told reporters after the game. “It’s a dream come true. It sounds cliché, but you want to win the Stanley Cup and you want to win a gold medal as a Canadian kid growing up. I feel very lucky. … There’s lots of emotions.”
The Rangers had to play with 10 forwards for a good portion of the contest.
After Wilson upended Laba near the boards in the neutral zone, the Toronto native scored his 20th goal of the season to put his team up 2-1 in the second period.
Tom Wilson (43) of the Capitals scores a goal on Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick (32) during the second period on Dec. 31, 2025. APLaba, who suffered an upper-body injury, was still on the ice as the Caps celebrated.
Sam Carrick took the first chance he got to make Wilson answer for the hit on Laba.
The two dropped the gloves, and Carrick hung in with Washington’s infamous face-puncher.
Wilson memorably pushed ex-Ranger Pavel Buchnevich’s head into the ice before rag-dolling Artemi Panarin at the end of the 2020-21 season.
Rangers defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (44) is stonewalled by Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren (79) on a shorthanded breakaway on Dec. 31, 2025. NHLI via Getty ImagesThe Rangers, who later cleaned house and dismissed David Quinn, Jeff Gorton and John Davidson, called it a “horrifying act of violence” in a statement in response to the league’s lack of action against Wilson.
Not too long after, Conor Sheary went down and skated straight off the ice to head for the locker room.
He is being evaluated for a lower-body injury.
Wednesday’s game was just the latest blow to a Rangers team that has been riddled with injuries this season.
The loss of Laba for any amount of time could be a difficult adjustment, considering the 22-year-old has occupied that spot almost all season long.
It’s also the fifth time the Rangers have dropped three games in a row through 42 contests.
Not only are they hanging on to their status as a team above .500 by a hair, but the Rangers are dead last in the Eastern Conference in points percentage (.512).
Adam Fox’s return to the lineup was supposed to be a highlight.
Even though his assist on Vincent Trocheck’s first-period score and power-play goal in the second couldn’t be the difference, Fox’s presence after a 14-game absence with a shoulder injury was encouraging.
And yet, it was overshadowed by Fox’s apparent Team USA snub for the Olympics in February.
The last year has been one to forget for the Rangers organization.
The image of Wilson laughing in Vladislav Gavrikov’s face may follow them into the new year.
