Oshie Details Recovery From Injury, Ready To Return & Help Red-Hot Capitals

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie sits in his stall, his famous energy on full display as he looks forward to his return from an upper-body injury that has held him out for the last six games. The 36-year-old is officially a game-time decision for Tuesday's title with the Buffalo Sabres, per head coach Peter Laviolette, but from the sound of No. 77, he's ready to play — and he has one goal in mind as he comes back: to keep the good times rolling in D.C.

"Just don't want to mess it up," Oshie joked with a grin, citing the team's recent hot streak.

Oshie went down with an upper-body injury on Dec. 17 against the Toronto Maple Leafs when he was backchecking and pulled up in visible discomfort. He went slowly to the bench and after standing for a moment, had to use the boards to help him make his way down the tunnel. It was a similar-looking injury to the one he suffered earlier in the season against the Nashville Predators, which led to an 11-game absence.

While Oshie didn't go into specifics regarding the exact ailment, he said a few days after the incident, he started feeling better and getting back on track for a return.

"Another road to recovery here," Oshie said. "I feel good. I got completely out of pain around like Christmas. It's been a little bit since then, so I've been able to train and condition and get back in shape."

The Warroad native has been limited to 22 games this season due to injury and has five goals and six assists. However, when he has been in, the Capitals have benefitted greatly, as he has been a major asset on special teams and brings a unique energy on and off the ice that adds to the team's dynamic.

"You can maybe feel his lack of presence a little bit. I think you could feel it in the room that just that spark is kind of missing," goaltender Charlie Lindgren said of Oshie. "Once he came back in the lineup, you realize how important of a piece he is… he's just always the guy that's pumping everyone up, always got a smile on his face and just an incredible teammate.

"He's just as important off the ice. I mean, he's the motor of our dressing room," Lindgren explained. "I think he's just the guy that gets everyone going and gets everyone revved up."

As he draws back in, Oshie said that he would focus on playing his game and sticking to the plan to help the team continue to be successful. Washington is coming off a stellar December that saw the team go 11-2-2 and climb from second to last in the Metropolitan Division to third. Oshie wants to allow the team to stay in its rhythm but is also eager to bring what he can to the table and continue to be a key piece of the puzzle.

"I just want to do the same thing. I'm going to play the same way, whether the team is losing or the team is winning," Oshie said. "I'm excited just to jump on the bandwagon here. These guys are doing a great job, and it'll be exciting to join them again."