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Capitals Place Jensen On IR, Oshie Remains Day-To-Day

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Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen

The Washington Capitals may have to wait a bit longer before seeing Nick Jensen and T.J. Oshie draw back into the lineup, as Jensen joined Oshie on the IR on Monday.

Head coach Peter Laviolette said that Jensen is week-to-week while T.J. Oshie remains on the IR and is still day-to-day as both recover from upper-body injuries.

Jensen left Thursday’s tilt with the Boston Bruins after being hit during the game, per Laviolette. He attempted to get back on the ice on Saturday, but after a couple of laps, headed back to the dressing room. He has not skated since then and can come off the IR on Jan. 28.

It is a tough loss for the blue line, as Jensen has been a key asset on the top-4 this season. He has mainly been skating on the second pairing and has been moving the puck well and playing a strong game at both ends of the ice. Through 31 games this season, the 31-year-old has three goals and 11 points and has a team-leading +/- of plus-20.

In the meantime, Justin Schultz will move up to take over for Jensen, and in turn, Michal Kempny will slot in on the third pairing alongside Trevor van Riemsdyk.

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Laviolette also said that Oshie’s status remains the same. The 34-year-old suffered an upper-body injury just 1:46 minutes into the Jan. 16 game vs. New York, where he left after just two shifts and appeared to be hurting after trying to catch a puck up high.

He skated prior to an optional skate for Washington on Wednesday but has not skated with the team since. Still, Laviolette says he is on the same track recovery-wise.

“I wouldn’t consider it a setback. There wasn’t a setback,” Laviolette said. “He was dealing with what he was dealing with day one and he’s still dealing with the same thing.”

Oshie has been on the injured reserve four times this season and has been dealing with a number of injuries, and he also had to battle COVID and the flu. Still, despite being limited to just 18 games, Oshie has made the most of his time in the lineup with five goals and 13 points.