TJ Oshie has been one of the Capitals best players during the month of March, tallying nine points in his last nine games (5 goals, 4 assists). Friday, however, Oshie was unable to finish the Caps-Hurricanes game after suffering an injury in the third period.
After the game, Capitals head coach Barry Trotz declined to reveal any specifics.
Video
#Caps head coach Barry Trotz talks to the media after a 4-1 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes. #CapsCanes #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/fEbpWlqtro
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 31, 2018
Trotz speaks about Oshie at the 2:15 mark.
“Yeah, he’ll be reevaluated. We might have an update for you,” Trotz said. “As we say, we’re a little ultra-cautious right now. Getting close here [to the playoffs]. We’ll see where we are.”
When pressed on if it was a lower body or upper-body injury, Trotz replied, “I’m not going to tell you.”
TJ Oshie’s shift chart
The Capitals later revealed that it was a lower-body injury.
#Caps say it's a lower body ailment for Oshie. Likely no update until tomorrow a the earliest. The team does not hit the ice again until Sunday morning in Pittsburgh.
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) March 31, 2018
The injury appears to have occurred in Oshie’s second to last shift of the game.
NBC Sports Washington’s Alan May, who was serving as an analyst inside the glass, first pointed out Oshie’s issue during the live telecast.
“On the backcheck around Carlina’s circles, he started to labor,” May said. “Looked like a groin pull.”
While retrieving a dumped in puck in the corner boards, Oshie battles with Hurricanes defenseman Klas Dahlbeck. Oshie’s right leg appears to get caught in a rut. As he loses control of the puck, the Capitals forward slowly lumbers his way back up the ice.
Here’s a closer look.
Oshie would take one final shift with 10:28 remaining in the period. He did not appear to have his normal explosiveness and seemed uncomfortable in his stride. He left the ice after only 33 seconds.
The Capitals have a day off Saturday. On Sunday, they will have their morning skate at PPG Paints Arena at 11:30am before playing the second-place Penguins later that night.
We’ll see then if Oshie is feeling good enough to play.
