Instant Karma

There are some people who consider the man to the left, the late, great John Lennon, to be a prophet. I'm not sure I believe in that theory, but I do believe that Lennon was a modern-day poet who often looked deeper into the human element more than other did. He wrote some amazing music and penned some rather moving lyrics such as those he wrote for "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)". In saying that, another of Lennon's most famous works can be brought to light today because the game between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights last night saw some instant karma delivered.

In Lennon's song "Instant Karma", he sings in the first verse, "Instant Karma's gonna get you/Gonna knock you right on the head/You better get yourself together/Pretty soon you're gonna be dead". He adds in a later verse, "Instant Karma's gonna get you/Gonna knock you off your feet/Better recognize your brothers/Ev'ryone you meet". These lyrics rang truer than any song lyrics ever have for me when it came to watching a specific moment last night during the Washington-Vegas game. That specific moment happened with 4:21 remaining in the second period.

Vegas' Ryan Reaves blindsided Tom Wilson with a thunderous hit, and it left Wilson shaken as he tried to collect himself on the ice. I'm not one to celebrate dirty hits, and I think Reaves rightfully got the penalty he deserved when he was ejected for the blindside hit if Wilson was ejected for one earlier this week. While this hit was clearly shoulder on shoulder, there likely will be no additional punishment for Reaves based on his ejection despite this hit perhaps being part of the battles that had been ongoing between Wilson and Reaves for the entirety of the game up to that point.

There's a small piece of me, though, who legitimately thinks that Wilson got what has been long coming to him after his history of dirty and illegal hits. As Lennon sang and the video shows, instant karma came and got Tom Wilson, knocking him right on his head. You know there are guys around the league who are secretly celebrating what Ryan Reaves did tonight in perhaps knocking some sense into Wilson when it comes to him recognizing his brothers in the NHLPA. Whatever the case may be, a small part of me was glad to see Tom Wilson being the guy trying to figure out what day it is rather than him knocking someone else senseless.

That being said, Wilson was taken out of the game by the Capitals and did not return. There was no word on any injury, but it's pretty clear he was shaken up by Reaves' hit. I'm not here to wish harm on Wilson in any way, and I do hope he's alright when it comes to playing in Washington's next game. If he exhibits any concussion-like symptoms, Washington should do everything they can to help Wilson because the hit was violent and there was clear jarring of the head and neck when Reaves slammed into Wilson. His reaction after the hit seemed to show signs of being dazed, so there should be someone checking Wilson closely for even the slightest hints of a concussion.

Ryan Reaves can now adopt the nickname "Instant Karma". He delivered it on Tuesday night.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!