The Washington Capitals had a disaster scenario unfold during the first period of their game against the Detroit Red Wings. Four different forwards — TJ Oshie, Lars Eller, Andre Burakovsky, and Tom Wilson — went down the tunnel with injuries. Three of them — Oshie, Eller, and Burakovsky — did not return with what Barry Trotz termed as upper-body injuries. Oshie, Eller, and Burakovsky will all be reevaluated tomorrow.
Gulp.
Lars Eller
Capitals third-line center Lars Eller skated only one 45 second shift before leaving with an injury. Eller appears to get hurt on a big hit delivered by Tyler Bertuzzi into the glass.
Eller appeared to be metaphorically skating in mud after the bodycheck and did not return.
TJ Oshie
TJ Oshie lasted only three shifts. The Caps first line winger left after attempting to deliver a huge bodycheck in neutral ice on Riley Sheahan. After doing so, he doubled over and went to one knee, sticking his tongue out in pain. Oshie’s night ended after 2:34 of ice time. Alan May believed the injury was shoulder related.
Andre Burakovsky
The Burracuda took seven shifts and left the game with 2:40 left in the first period. Burakovsky’s injury may have happened at neutral ice while attempting to skate past a Tomas Tatar stick check. Burakovsky appears to have his left arm blunted by Tatar’s twig. Several seconds later, he releases his left hand from his stick.
At the end of the shift, Burakovsky again lets go of his twig with his left hand.
The Caps PR announced Burakovsky was doubtful to return. He never did.
#Caps Andre Burakovsky is listed as doubtful to return for tonight's game.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 19, 2016
Jill Sorenson reported that she saw Burakovsky in a suit in the locker room after the game.
Tom Wilson
Finally, Tom Wilson got pushed awkwardly head-first into the boards by Danny DeKeyser. The Red Wings defenseman was given a five-minute major boarding penalty. Wilson left the game briefly but returned.
Depending on how serious the injuries are, the Caps may have to call up several forwards from Hershey for their game Sunday against Columbus. Possible callups could include Jakub Vrana, Nathan Walker, Paul Carey, and Chris Bourque.
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