The Washington Capitals will be without veteran winger TJ Oshie for the fourth straight game on Sunday evening.
Oshie took part in the Capitals’ morning skate before their matchup with the Ottawa Senators but is not healthy enough to jump back in the lineup. The early practice marked the first time he had been on the ice since his latest spell out of the lineup.
Head coach Spencer Carbery was glad to see the progress but ruled Oshie out for the night’s action.
“No, he’s not [playing],” Carbery said. “That’s a step, first time he’s been on the ice so positive step.”
Oshie last played on March 30 in the Capitals’ 3-2 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins and did not travel with the team to their game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. The 37-year-old forward reportedly saw the team doctor instead of skating on Thursday morning and has needed the services of a chiropractor multiple times this season to be able to dress for games due to reoccurring back issues.
Sunday evening will mark the 30th game Oshie has missed this season due to injury. If he returns for Tuesday’s contest against the Detroit Red Wings and plays out the remainder of the schedule, he would end the season with just 52 games played — six fewer than last season. He has 22 points (11g, 11a) in 47 games this year.
The Capitals need a win against the Senators to stave off a six-game losing streak; the late-season skid has forced the Caps out of a playoff position. Their 82 standings points see them trail the New York Islanders (85 points) for third in the Metropolitan Division and the Philadelphia Flyers (83 points) and Pittsburgh Penguins (83 points) for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
After not playing on Saturday, the Capitals do still hold at least one game in hand on each team.
