Photo: Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images
Emotions were already running high during Wednesday’s Washington Capitals and New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden. Forward T.J. Oshie had himself a night, scoring a hat trick in the 4-2 win in his first game back since the passing of his father Tim “Coach” Oshie.
Just twelve seconds into the second period, Oshie opened the scoring on a power-play and gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead. It marked his 19th goal of the season.
This one means more ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wX3vvFqQgD
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 6, 2021
Oshie would pot his 20th goal at the 8:26 mark, extending the Capitals’ to 2-0. He would reach the 20-goal mark for the sixth time in his career.
Oshbabe’s 20th goal of the season! pic.twitter.com/JQPmfAY8XV
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 6, 2021
He would complete the hat trick with an empty-net goal with just under two minutes left in the third period and put the Capitals ahead by 4-1.
A meaningful night and 3rd goal for Oshie pic.twitter.com/vs2LoDEiei
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 6, 2021
This is Oshie’s fourth career hat trick.
T.J. Oshie’s hat trick marks the first hat trick scored by a Capital this season. With 21 goals in 51 games this season, Oshie’s 0.41 goals per game rate is his second-highest single-season rate of his career (2016-17: 0.49).
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) May 6, 2021
Teammates showed love and gave hockey hugs to Oshie. He returned to the lineup after missing Monday’s game due to a personal family matter. Oshie tweeted Tuesday morning that his father Tim had passed away.
All love for 7️⃣7️⃣ pic.twitter.com/JCvU2xeIm4
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 6, 2021
Center Nicklas Backstrom said during his postgame comments that he felt like Oshie “needed a hug.” “I saw he got emotional there at the end…I think he told him, ‘You’re the strongest person I know.’… We’re a family. We’re in this together. His loss is everyone’s loss.”
All of the hockey hugs for @TJOshie77. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fqEfN6O2wT
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 6, 2021
“It was such an emotional night for T.J,” center Nic Dowd also said. “He’s been such a big leader for our team. We’re trying to be there for him to take care of him and he ends up taking care of us and leading us to win the game.”
In his first game after the passing of his father, @TJOshie77 scores a hat trick. ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/AfkplYY9Lx
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) May 6, 2021
Oshie tweeted later Wednesday night that he will be “forever grateful” for that night.
I have nothing but love for my teammates. I will be forever grateful for this night and especially because I got to share it with my brothers. #ForCoachOsh https://t.co/5EnKx8kjS3
— TJ Oshie (@TJOshie77) May 6, 2021
By Della Young
That was great that Oshie could get the Hat Trick on his return to the team. I’ll admit I feared that making in time for tonight’s game might be impossible due to the logistics of flying back from Seattle to the East coast and the 3 hour time difference. Backstrom’s hug of him at the end of the game was amazing.
As for the Rangers, they were more interested in extracting retribution against Tom Wilson than in winning the game.
I think in postgame they said he flew back to New York last night. Either way, that coast to coast trip can zap your energy. Really impressive showing from Oshie and the whole team.
This team is incredible. Loss for words.