Fansided

T.J. Oshie will miss Monday’s game against Canadiens

By Dave Stevenson

Nov 27, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie (77) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie (77) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie will miss Monday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens with an upper body injury. 

The Washington Capitals have been relatively lucky in terms of injuries this season. In fact, T.J. Oshie is their only forward to miss any extensive time, missing several games back in December. They will be without him on Monday as they face the Montreal Canadiens after the forward got hit hard by Ottawa Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf on Saturday.

He’s listed as having an upper body injury, though it’s obvious Oshie was favoring the same shoulder he injured earlier this season. It’s worth noting he skated with the team in the morning, which is a good sign that he shouldn’t be out long-term like last time.

Oshie is most famous for his shootout performance during the 2014 Winter Olympics, but he is a very important player to the Capitals. He has 13 goals and seven assists for 20 points in 32 games this season. Not only that, Oshie has been an important cog to the Capitals’ penalty kill, which ranks second in the NHL entering Monday’s game.

Without their star forward, the Caps will turn to either Liam O’Brien or Paul Carey. O’Brien was initially called up to be the team’s 13th forward on their road trip. However, since Tom Wilson’s status was in question for Monday, Carey got called up on Sunday. Wilson will be playing on Monday despite a lingering injury from Saturday after blocking a shot.

Must Read: 1 trade every NHL team should make

The Capitals put Brett Connolly on the first forward line on Saturday without Oshie. It remains to be seen how they will replace him in the lineup. Their penalty kill, however, should be fine without him. Lars Eller, Daniel Winnik, Wilson, and Jay Beagle have proven to be very competent at killing penalties. It’s likely Carey will get in the lineup over O’Brien, since Carey is the more proven player. O’Brien hasn’t played in the NHL since the beginning of the 2014-15 season.

Home/Washington Capitals