Last night, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals squared off in a preseason matchup that saw the Capitals win 4-3. This game, much like most of the NHL preseason, had a fight. However, this fight included two heavyweights that can hold their own. Here’s what happened.
In the second period, defenseman Erik Gudbranson took Ivan Miroshnichenko hard into the boards, which quickly caught the ire of Tom Wilson, who instantly dropped his gloves and the two squared off.
During the fight, both players landed some big punches. Gudbranson was able to catch Wilson with a few uppercuts, but ultimately Wilson scored the takedown after 30-40 seconds. Nevertheless, it was a fight that answered the bell on a questionable hit. Both players seemed to agree and had a good tilt that energized the crowd.
Neither Wilson nor Gudbranson are small individuals. They are big-bodied, physical players who are not afraid to chuck them if needed. In an NHL where fighting is happening less and less, it is still nice to have players that can hold their own.
It is no secret that Wilson is more known for fighting throughout his career. He has played the agitator role to perfection. That said, Gudbranson is no pushover. He plays with intensity and passion, which is the perfect mix for someone who is not afraid to shed the gloves and deliver a knockout blow.
It is unlikely this carries over to the regular season. But if it does, these teams meet again on Saturday, Oct. 4 and Oct. 24 for the first time of the 2025-26 season.
