Photo: NBC Sports Washington
Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie missed the team’s morning skate at PNC Arena on Thursday due to an illness. Head coach Todd Reirden labeled him as a “game-time decision” for tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Forward Tom Wilson skated in his spot on the top power-play unit while forward Brett Connolly stepped in for Wilson on the second. Forward Andre Burakovsky skated in Oshie’s spot alongside center Evgeny Kuznetsov and forward Carl Hagelin. More news heading into the Capitals-Hurricanes game can be found below:
Todd Reirden on T.J. Oshie: “He’s feeling under the weather right now. We’ll see how he does the rest of the day and whether he’ll be joining us or not.” Not a ringing endorsement, but we’ll see if he takes warm-ups at least. #Caps
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) March 28, 2019
The Capitals announced that they have selected defenseman Brooks Orpik as their nominee for the Bill Masterton Award, given to the player who has shown the most perseverance throughout the season. After missing 29 games due to a knee injury, the 36-year old has posted two goals, eight points, and a +4 rating this season.
The Washington PHWA chapter’s Bill Masterton Trophy nominee is Brooks Orpik pic.twitter.com/Rh33hgty0R
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) March 28, 2019
Capitals Lines at Hurricanes
Caps expected lineup vs. Canes
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Hagelin-Kuznetsov-Burakovsky
Vrana-Eller-Connolly
Stephenson-Dowd-BoydDjoos-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-JensenHoltby to start
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) March 28, 2019
Reminder:
The reigning #StanleyCup Champion @Capitals can clinch their fifth consecutive trip to the postseason tonight. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/dUq3V5oizX
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 28, 2019
Todd Reirden’s Pregame Presser
#Caps head coach Todd Reirden on tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes potentially without Oshie due to illness. #ALLCAPS #CapsCanes pic.twitter.com/24MOl3ypOk
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 28, 2019
Capitals Today
CAPS TODAY: John Carlson became the fifth defenseman in franchise history to record 400 points on Tuesday. More info on Carlson and the Caps at https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/Bsu1HD29g8
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 28, 2019
From Hurricanes’ Side
Goaltender Curtis McElhinney, who was named Carolina’s nominee for the Masterton Trophy, will start against the Capitals.
Win or not, the Hurricanes will do their final “storm surge” celebration of the season after the game. The team will not continue doing it during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, should they make it.
Regardless of the outcome tonight, this will be our last storm surge of the season. It has been an absolute treat celebrating victories with our @NHLCanes fans and muddying up the waters a little bit. We’ve created a buzz again in Carolina but we know ultimately we’ve done that
— Justin Williams (@JustinWilliams) March 28, 2019
Capitals Today
CAPS TODAY: John Carlson became the fifth defenseman in franchise history to record 400 points on Tuesday. More info on Carlson and the Caps at https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/Bsu1HD29g8
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 28, 2019
By Harrison Brown
Nov 13: Oshie (concussion) took some contact at Thursday’s morning skate and could be an option for the Blues’ game against the Predators, Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Oshie has been free of concussion symptoms for the last couple of days and was able to resuming practicing Wednesday, making it possibly that he might suit up if he continues to feel 100 percent once game time rolls around. However, because Thursday was his first day taking contact in a session that wasn’t especially rigorous, coach Ken Hitchcock and the Blues’ medical staff could exercise precaution and hold Oshie out for the eighth straight game. In any case, assuming he incurs no further setbacks with his recovery from the concussion, Oshie looks highly probable to be available for Saturday’s tilt against the Capitals at the latest. The Blues have already signaled that Oshie is close to a return with their decision to send Dmitrij Jaskin back to the minors Thursday.