Tom Wilson Says Broken Nose Was 'Worst' One He's Experienced, Reflects On Injury, Playing In Full Shield & Getting Back In Lineup

The Capitals winger discusses his broken nose and recovery.

A broken nose is nothing new for Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson. One of the league's toughest customers has dealt with his fair share of them over the course of his career, but the one he suffered on Saturday was the worst he's faced yet.

Bad enough, in fact, that it held him out of the lineup for Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken.

"Obviously, it was a pretty good jolt and a tough couple of days, so I woke up yesterday just not feeling very well," Wilson told reporters on Friday, adding, "Yesterday I just had to take a step back and reevaluate. Obviously, it was a long couple of days, a lot of trauma. Tough not being out there, but got to make sure I do the right things.

"I broke my nose a few times for sure, but this one was the worst by far," he added.

Wilson broke his nose when he collided with Alex Laferriere and took the butt-end of his stick to the face near the end of Sunday's 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings. The 29-year-old had finished the game, but he would have to get it reset and broken again in the morning by Dr. Mike Reilly at Georgetown.

"You don't forget that feeling, getting your nose put back in place, especially when you're off the adrenaline of the game. When you come out after the game you're all revved up, you don't feel much but when you have to follow up the next day and get it set, it's not fun.

"(Reilly) was a pro's pro. He did a few different things in there to get me back to hopefully straight-ish, but he did a great job and we're super lucky to have great doctors to look after us when stuff like that happens," Wilson continued. "We go out and play a pretty savage sport, and whatever happens happens, and the docs are there to help you out. He got me back to right and feeling better today, so keep trending in the right direction."

With his nose still healing, Wilson remains in a splint and is also skating with a full shield on. The "fishbowl" will likely stay on until it is fully healed, and for No. 43, it's been an adjustment as he adapts from playing with just a visor.

"It's a little bit different. I'm breathing better today just in general, so bubble or not, nice to breathe normally," Wilson said. "Everything's coming back. The bubble will be a bit of an adjustment but it is what it is."

As for whether or not he will play this weekend in a home-and-home series with the New York Rangers, Wilson was optimistic.

"Right now, I feel really good," Wilson affirmed.