The Capitals themselves have concerns about TJ Oshie, which coach Spencer Carberry says are “pretty high.”
The Washington forward suffered a non-contact injury in the third period of Thursday’s game against the Lightning in Tampa and was helped to the locker room.
“I’ll evaluate it. I’ll know more.” [Friday]But it’s never a good sign to see a player leave the ice like that,” Carberry told reporters.
Oshie fell to the ice while stickhandling in the Caps’ offensive zone and crawled along the boards to reach Washington’s bench.
However, the 37-year-old seemed upbeat and gave fans a glimmer of hope with his response to the team’s post about X.
When the team shared, “We accomplished 77,” Oshie also chimed in, “We’ll be back.” Thank you to the fans of Lovecap,” he added with the hashtag “#NoBadDays.”
Before leaving, the winger assisted on Anthony Mantha’s second-period goal, giving him 18 points in 38 games that season.
But it was good news for the Capitals. The win puts Tampa Bay within five points of either the Lightning or the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with three games in hand.
They are also tied with Metro Division rivals New Jersey and the Islanders at 60 points.
The Capitals, who missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2014, will need a healthy Oshie going forward if they want to return to the postseason.
“Guys that fought hard tonight, stayed calm in this situation, a hostile environment, found a way to win despite losing guys left, right and center, and found a way to get two. Give it a lot of credit.”It’s in a really solid building,” Carberry said.
