| The Hockey News
Laila Edwards, Abbey Murphy, Taylor Heise are x-factors for Team USA
U.S. and Canada have dominated hockey, and it looks like that will stay the same heading into 2026 Olympics. Nancy Armour lists x-factors for Team USA.
The Washington Capitals are currently at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with a 17-9-3 record and 37 points.
They have been red-hot as the season carries on, with a 9-1-1 record in their last 11 games and a six-game winning streak before Friday’s shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
A major reason for the Capitals’ success this season has been the incredible play of right wing Tom Wilson.
The 31-year-old right winger has been absolutely thriving for the Capitals this season, posting 17 goals, 14 assists, 31 points, 77 hits and a plus-18 rating in 29 games.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound power forward currently leads all Capitals players in goals and points.
Wilson has been on a real heater as of late, though.
Over his last eight games, the 2012 first-round pick has recorded six goals and 11 points. He was also named the NHL’s third star of the week from Nov. 24 to Nov. 30 after posting four goals and eight points in just four games.
With all of this, Wilson is continuing to get better, even at 31 years old.
The Toronto native just had a big year for the Capitals in 2024-25, as he set career highs with 33 goals, 32 assists and 65 points in 81 games. Yet, given how he is producing offense right now, he could very well end up with an even better year for the Capitals in 2025-26.
It will be interesting to see how Wilson builds on his fantastic start to the season. If he keeps this up, Team Canada could be calling.
In fact, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun thinks Wilson will replace Philadelphia Flyers right winger Travis Konecny on Canada’s men’s national team for the Olympics.
Konecny, 28, played two games for the Canadians at February’s 4 Nations Face-Off, logging two shots and a minus-3 rating. This season, he has six goals, 16 assists, 22 points and 39 hits.
Wilson has always combined physicality and shift-disturbing play with high-quality offense, similar to Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand. And the Capitals and Team Canada could benefit from Wilson in the long run.
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