The Washington Capitals practiced on Monday morning at Kettler Capitals Iceplex before heading out west for a three-game road trip against the Dallas Stars, Arizona Coyotes, and Vegas Golden Knights. They will fly out to Dallas this afternoon, where the Capitals start their road trip tomorrow night for an 8:30 puck drop. 

T.J. Oshie Injury Update

T.J. Oshie practiced wearing a regular practice jersey for the first time since taking a hit to the head from San Jose Sharks’ center Joe Thornton on December 4. He has missed seven games with a concussion. Of the four concussions he has had in his career, Oshie said this one was the “least severe.” Oshie said he feels ready to return to the lineup tomorrow night against the Stars at American Airlines Center but he hasn’t been medically cleared yet. He also practiced on the first power-play unit.

Oshie says he feels ready to return but needs final clearance from doctors in order to suit up in Dallas. #Caps

— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒🥅 (@TarikNBCS) December 18, 2017

Oshie also said this is the fourth documented concussion of his career and the least severe. #Caps https://t.co/XMTZvZqKJB

— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒🥅 (@TarikNBCS) December 18, 2017

Supposing Oshie returns tomorrow night in Dallas, the Capitals will have a fully healthy lineup for the first time since October 13, a 5-2 win at the New Jersey Devils.

Capitals Lines at Practice

Lines:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Connolly-Eller-Burakovsky
Stephenson-Beagle-Chiasson

Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Carlson
Djoos-Bowey

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 18, 2017

News

Devante Smith-Pelly drew out of the lineup with Oshie taking his usual spot with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jakub Vrana. Alex Chiasson and Chandler Stephenson skated on the fourth line with Jay Beagle during line rushes.

With Oshie back, Brett Connolly replaced Vrana on the second power-play unit.

Shavings

-Alex Chiasson had 19 goals and 42 points in 86 career games with the Stars from 2012-14. He was traded to the Ottawa Senators on July 1, 2014, as part of the Jason Spezza trade.

-The Capitals are 8-6-0 in 14 games against the Western Conference this season, including  3-2-0 against the Central Division.

-The Capitals’ 21 wins this season are tied for third best in the league with the Golden Knights and the Nashville Predators. Only the Tampa Bay Lightning (24) and the St. Louis Blues (22) have more wins than the Capitals.

-Star Strikers: Alex Ovechkin has 8 goals and 11 points in 14 career games vs. the Stars. T.J. Oshie has 11 goals and 23 points in 26 career games against the Stars; Oshie’s +16 +/- rating against the Stars is his highest +/- rating against a single opponent in his NHL career.

-The Stars allow the second-fewest shots against per game, averaging 29.56 shots per game (first: the Carolina Hurricanes give up an average of 29.50 shots per game)

-The Capitals are 3-10-2 all-time against the Stars, losing nine-straight games against Dallas before winning in Dallas last year with a 4-3 overtime victory.

-Last year’s victory over Dallas was the first time the Capitals won in Dallas since 2006 when the beat them 4-3.

Capitals on Social Media

V signing session before taking off for Dallas #ALLCAPSpic.twitter.com/OlkvMEURAN

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 18, 2017

You know school is out when… pic.twitter.com/k2S197R7Xd

— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒🥅 (@TarikNBCS) December 18, 2017

Oshie, Chorney and the goalies getting in some pre-practice work with Trotz looking on. #Caps pic.twitter.com/J35zvczXw7

— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒🥅 (@TarikNBCS) December 18, 2017

Interviews

Barry Trotz update on Oshie return and breakdown of upcoming road trip. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/sy1UfJf7km

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 18, 2017

TJ Oshie after shedding the non-contact jersey and returning to full practice this morning. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/oeVUINuVCj

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 18, 2017

By Harrison Brown