In just a matter of seconds, Tom Wilson turned the series back around for the Washington Capitals, delivering a huge hit on Alexandre Carrier that led to the game-tying goal in Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens.

It was a clean hit; the initial contact and intended target was the shoulder, and as Carrier went down, the Capitals took the tempo back, with Brandon Duhaime charging into the offensive zone and kicking off a surge of four unanswered third-period goals that would put up D.C. 3-1 in the series.

"It's been a physical series both ways, getting hit, giving hits, they've been really physical, so it's a long series. You just try and kind of invest and continue to play hard every shift you're out there," Wilson said. "It was a big hit and the boys were able to score right after. That's the way hockey goes."

The Canadiens, however, took exception to the play, with Jakub Dobes speaking out against Wilson postgame.

"I don't really know the rules, I felt like it should've been a whistle. It was kind of a scary hit, but I guess the rules don't apply for everyone in this league," Dobes said. "I have no idea."

And the Habs certainly made their sentiments toward Wilson know on the ice, but still, he showed leadership and walked that line perfectly, avoiding time in the box or mixups that’d land him and his team in trouble.

“I think last game was really chaotic, and speaking to coaches and a lot of people that I trust over the last couple of days, it’s good for me to be on the ice,” Wilson said. “I can’t be sitting in a box for 14 minutes. In the first game, you take a coincidental or whatever, and I’m in the box eight minutes, nine minutes. So I just want to be on the ice and control my emotions.”

Washington now returns home for the chance to advance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since winning the Cup back in 2018, and Wilson's turnaround after an emotional Game 3 is a big reason why.

The 31-year-old admitted that he wanted to be better and focus on hockey rather than high tensions after getting into it with Josh Anderson on the bench and seeing his team fall 6-3 in Game 3, and he delivered in a big way.

Wilson led all forwards in ice time with 21:16 minutes and also delivered a team-leading six hits, while also piling on three shots and securing the win with an empty-net goal late. He has points in three of four games this series, and he's also helped take the 5-on-5 play to the next level.

"He's been huge for us. He's the heart and soul of this organization," goaltender Logan Thompson said. "When he's making plays, big hits, we feed off that... he's a huge part of this team and we love him."

The Capitals host Montreal for Game 5 on Wednesday at Capital One Arena, and Washington expects Wilson to continue being an X-Factor while getting under the Canadiens' skin. He's ready to deliver.

"They don’t make them like Tom Wilson anymore… He's one of those guys in sports that every opposing team despises, but would take him in a second," coach Spencer Carbery said. "The hatred comes from an, 'I wish we had him.' It really does."