After missing four games due to an upper-body injury, TJ Oshie appears likely to be back in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Flyers. Oshie practiced this morning with the team and reclaimed his top spot on the team’s first line.
“I was up with Nick & O in the practice, felt pretty good so we’ll see where we go in the next 24 hours.” Oshie said. “I’ve been trying to get back as quick as I can, or as quick as they’d let me.”
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“I was up with Nick & O in the practice, felt pretty good so we’ll see where we go in the next 24 hours.” @TJOshie77 #CapsFlyers #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/Q0vl1R5xPL
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 3, 2017
According to The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan, Oshie also skated on the team’s first powerplay unit, further implying he would suit up tomorrow.
While Oshie seems very intent on playing tomorrow, Trotz was uncertain.
Trotz said Oshie would "maybe" play tomorrow. Oshie seemed more optimistic.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) March 3, 2017
Additionally, Andre Burakovsky is finally on the mend after breaking his hand while blocking a shot on February 9. He was seen at practice today sans-cast.
Burakovsky's recovery remains on track. Had the cast removed from his hand last night. #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) March 3, 2017
Although he couldn’t actually practice with the rest of the team, Burakovsky was able to get on the ice in his gear to stretch with the team.
No puck handling for Burakovsky today, who was on the ice for the first time in full equipment. Trotz skated him into the ice.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 3, 2017
The Caps placed Burakovsky on LTIR on February 23, meaning that although he seems close to recovery, he still can’t be reactivated, at the earliest, until March 9.
Headline photo by Bruce Bennett
