According to a Washington Post report, Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie will likely be out for the remainder of the postseason with an upper-body injury.
Oshie, 32, was pushed from behind into the boards by Hurricanes forward Warren Foegele during the third period of Game 4. Foegele ended up getting a two-minute minor penalty for boarding. Oshie laid on the ice for a while until he received assistance.
Capitals players and coaches didn’t agree that it was a 2-minute minor. Alex Ovechkin believed it was a “dirty play”. It caused more controversy when it was confirmed that Foegele will not be suspended or fined from the NHL Department of Player Safety.
TJ Oshie is hurt pic.twitter.com/YIK2JjeICQ
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 19, 2019
What next for the Caps?
This is a big loss for the Capitals. His brand of tough, physically hockey will be missed. This season Oshie netted 25 goals and 29 assists in 69 games. The Capitals need someone to fill Oshie’s top 6 roles. Carl Hagelin is expected to fill Oshie’s role in the second line. Recently the Capitals called up Devante Smith-Pelly; who scored seven goals last postseason and is expected to play in the fourth line.
Todd Reirden talks with the media after Game 4 with an update on T.J. Oshie pic.twitter.com/Nq4rXn9OEc
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 19, 2019
This will be a big test for head coach Todd Reirden. “The fact that he’s not with us is going to be a tough void to fill, but that just should hopefully push people to get to a different level and have his back, so to speak.”
The Capitals and Hurricanes best-of-seven series is tied 2-2. Game 5 starts tonight ( 8 p.m. ET; NBC, SN360, SN1, TVAS)
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