Capitals Tom Wilson gets beaten down by Canadiens Josh Anderson for a cheap shot

The hulking Tom Wilson has been a force in the NHL for more than a decade, respected for his ability to find the net and his bruising, physical style of play. Yet despite all his accomplishments, Wilson had never recorded a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, a goal, an assist, and a fight all in one game. That all changed on Thursday night as the Washington Capitals took to the ice against the Montreal Canadiens and Wilson finally reached that elusive milestone.

The breakthrough finally came in his 763rd NHL game. Early in the second period, Wilson ended a Capitals' power-play drought by redirecting a shot from Alex Ovechkin, putting Washington on the board. The middle frame became an offensive free-for-all as six combined goals had the teams deadlocked at 3-3 heading into the final period of play.

Wilson's helper came in the third period, setting up Connor McMichael for what would be the eventual game-winning goal. Poking into the zone of the Canadiens, Wilson dished off to Trevor van Riemsdyk, who managed to send it to McMichael for a slick backhand finish. By this point in the night, Wilson had completed two-thirds of his Gordie Howe Hat Trick; a fight was still necessary to seal the deal.

He didn't have to wait very long. In the dying minutes of the game, Wilson delivered a heavy hit, what some would call a cheap shot, on Montreal's Kaiden Guhle that finally forced Josh Anderson to take him on. The two engaged in a spirited bout, exchanging punches, but ultimately, Anderson came out with a slight edge. The fight sealed the deal on Wilson's first Gordie Howe Hat Trick, a great achievement from a player known to score as much as he fights.

Tom Wilson's teammates and even head coach, Spencer Carbery, couldn't quite believe it took this long for the milestone to be reached. It was a far cry from the time Wilson passed up an invitation to scrap in 2013 immediately after scoring his first NHL goal as a rookie. And now, after years of contributing in every facet of the game, he has added another feather to his cap, starting this season strong with eight points in as many games while leading the Capitals in goals.