Laviolette Provides Update On Oshie Injury, Status For Capitals

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Washington Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette provided an update on T.J. Oshie, who left Wednesday’s preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings in the second period with an upper-body injury.

Laviolette wouldn’t comment too much on the concern level for Oshie at the moment but did offer some insight.

“Obviously, it’s [high] enough that he left the game,” Laviolette said. “It’s an upper-body injury and they evaluate it now and re-evaluate it again tomorrow and then see where he’s at.”

Laviolette also added that him being held out for the rest of the game wasn’t precautionary.

“He wasn’t coming back tonight,” he noted.

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Oshie was battling for a puck in the offensive zone when he was hit from behind by Joe Veleno and went hard into the boards. He went down in visible pain and was slow to get up but skated to the bench under his own power. Oshie left the game shortly after.

T.J. Oshie just left the Capitals' bench with a trainer after taking this hit along the boards. pic.twitter.com/irCBrVlR3Q

— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) October 6, 2022

The Warroad native hasn’t been immune to injuries. Last season, several ailments limited No. 77 to just 44 games, where he posted 25 points. He also played through an injury in the postseason but managed seven points in six games. Oshie underwent core surgery ahead of the season as well.

Washington would win Wednesday’s game 4-2. Aliaksei Protas replaced Oshie on the second line with Dylan Strome and Joe Snively. Connor Brown filled in for him on the power play in the bumper spot, and there, he scored the game-winner in the final minutes of regulation.