An NHL game between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals kicked off with a massive brawl after a Capitals player hit opponents

• A massive brawl erupted seconds into Wednesday's Rangers-Capitals NHL game.
• The altercation happened after Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson lashed out against Rangers players on Monday.
• Wilson was only fined $5,000 and not suspended, and tensions carried into Wednesday's game.

The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers NHL game started with a massive brawl during face-off on Wednesday.

The altercation happened amid simmering tensions after Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson carried out two violent acts against New York Rangers players on Monday.

During the Capitals' 6-3 win over the Rangers earlier in the week, Wilson punched Rangers forward Pavel Buchnevich in the back of the head while Buchnevich was down on the ice. Wilson then threw Rangers forward Artemi Panarin to the ice after Panarin was trying to pull Wilson off of a teammate.

Panarin was injured and will miss the remainder of the season.

Wilson was fined $5,000 in connection with the incident, sparking backlash from critics who saw the fine as insufficient punishment for the act. The Rangers issued a statement asking for Wilson, who has a history of violent bouts, to be suspended.

-Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) May 5, 2021

Several players were sent off during the brawl, seconds after the puck hit the ice.

-Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 5, 2021