Capitals' Wilson: I'm not out trying to hurt guys

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson doesn't want to be known as a dirty player.

Last week, a neutral arbitrator slashed Wilson's original 20-game ban for a headshot on St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist by six games, allowing him to play immediately since he'd already sat out 16 contests. While he's been criticized for his style of play, Wilson maintains he never intends to injure opposing players.

"On that (Sundqvist) hit, I was actually doing a lot of what the department had asked me to do," he said, according to Chris Kuc of The Athletic. "I was low to the ice, I had my shoulder tucked and my feet planted. Unfortunately, the guy was in a tough position and the outcome isn't what the intent was. For me, the intent is never there as much as people try and say it is.

"I’m not out there trying to hurt guys; I'm trying to play the game hard. I have to make sure that I'm executing it completely clean. Even if there's the slightest little bit, you know and everyone else knows what will happen. It's tough. It's something I'm dealing with for sure."

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cullen ripped the league's suspension appeal process after Wilson's ban was reduced, arguing that simply suspending players for reckless hits won't persuade them to change how they play.

For now, Wilson is just hoping to help the Capitals "put together wins." He's posted one goal and three points in three games since he returned from his suspension.