Capitals' Wilson receives match penalty for hit on Lazar

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson can expect a call from the NHL's Department of Player Safety.

Wilson was assessed a match penalty and a game misconduct for his hit on Ottawa Senators forward Curtis Lazar late in the third period of Wednesday's game.

A match penalty sees the player receive an automatic suspension from the Department of Player Safety, pending a review from the league.

Lazar left the game following the hit and did not return with just 4:40 remaining. Head coach Dave Cameron did not have an update on his condition, but expects to know more Thursday.

The 20-year-old has a history of concussions, having suffered one in late October after taking a hit from Arizona Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek.

Washington coach Barry Trotz thought the call was a mistake.

Wilson spoke to the media postgame and defended the play.

"I don't hit his head at all. There's maybe a little bit of shoulder-on-shoulder, but I'm a big guy," Wilson told Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post. "I'm 220 pounds. If you're not expecting to run into that, then you're going to get a little bit of whiplash."

The Capitals' next game comes Friday when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning.