After suffering his fifth concussion at the hands of Josh Morrissey and missing over 10 games, TJ Oshie is finally back in the lineup.
After Tuesday’s morning skate, Oshie addressed the media on how he has come back from concussions in the past.
“Every concussion’s different,” Oshie said, according to the Associated Press’s Stephen Whyno. “This one was different than all the last ones. It’s really just not coming back until you’re ready. I’ve had some where you think you’re ready to play and you’re pretty sure, maybe not 100 percent sure, and then a couple games in you get hit or your head hits something or whatever it is and you don’t have a concussion but you have a headache now every time you get hit for sometimes a month or so.
“I feel 100 percent,” Oshie continued. “I feel ready to go. That gives me a lot of confidence that I’m about to go out there and do my job and not have to worry about getting re-hit, reinjured. I don’t put my team in a vulnerable position by going out there at anything less that 100 percent.”
Oshie’s history with head hits as a Capital date back to last season when he was butt-checked by Joe Thornton.
Thornton was not suspended for the hit.
Earlier this season, Oshie was high-sticked near the eye by Olli Maatta.
He was also hit in the head by Evgeni Malkin.
Malkin was ejected from the game but did not face supplemental discipline.
Oshie has been known to voice his frustrations with what hits are suspendable or fined according to the Department of Player Safety, saying last year “Hopefully it changes or we figure out a way to get some consistency.”
Headline photo: @Capitals
