TJ Oshie is of a different breed and before Game Three, the popular Washington Capitals’ winger did an interview with TNT. There he was asked about the Artemi Panarin hit that briefly knocked him out of Game Two.
After being high-sticked in the face earlier in the night, Panarin caught Oshie unaware as he raced for the puck along the sideboards. Panarin struck Oshie high and in the head with his shoulder. Officials initially gave Panarin a five-minute major, but after reviewing video, rescinded the penalty altogether.
The Capitals were confused by the referee’s ruling and Tom Wilson thought Panarin targeted Oshie. ESPN analyst PK Subban believed the hit was suspendable.
But not Oshie. In fact, he had no problem with the hit at all.
“Yeah, I mean me personally I thought the Panarin hit was good,” Oshie said. “I love that. I think that’s the way it should be called when you hit through someone’s body. Obviously, sometimes you can hit the head on accident but I kinda like that style of play.”
That style of play ended up costing the Capitals another player on Friday night in Game Three as Matt Rempe loaded up and hit defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk late. Rempe made head contact with TVR, knocking the Capitals defenseman out of action with an upper-body injury.
Oshie, 37, is the ultimate gamer though, and has landed many big hits of his own throughout his career. Perhaps he was being facetious, but for a player that has such a long documented history of concussions, maybe he should have a problem with it.
