T.J. Oshie, a key member of the Washington Capitals leadership group, told media following the Capitals practice on Tuesday that the players have held players-only meetings following the team’s two recent losses. The Capitals have lost by a combined total of 11-2 on home ice in their last two games.
“Any time you’re in a rut like this and this is in my opinion … we’re not playing to our identity. I don’t think any amount of coaching would get you out of that,” said Oshie.
T.J. Oshie said the Caps have had some player-only meetings after their two bad losses to Carolina and Minnesota.
“Any time you’re in a rut like this and this is in my opinion … we’re not playing to our identity. I don’t think any amount of coaching would get you out of that”
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) April 5, 2022
“We’ve been talking as a group as players and just getting some thoughts out there on what things need to change. So I think we got a pretty good handle on it. And our next two games there’s probably no one else I’d rather play to get us going again,” said Oshie.
Oshie on the Capitals’ players’ meetings: pic.twitter.com/blnlWBH62L
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) April 5, 2022
“We’ve gotten away from having 20 guys in the lineup come with a purpose to win and win a certain way and we haven’t had that. Sometimes you can get away with it if Ovi goes out and scores a bunch of goals or Kuzy does his thing. But a lot of times, you can’t.”
Oshie said the Capitals’ practices the past two days were, “Maybe two of the best practices we’ve had this year, I think, as far as working and focused.”
The Capitals return to work Wednesday night when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM.
By Jon Sorensen
Strike me down, but Oshie is the real leader on this team. 😳
Good to hear. These have worked in the past. Hopefully we see a totally different team on Wednesday. 🤞🙏
Nice to call a players only meeting but is that going to get the goalies to stand on their heads or the D to play better or all the centers and forwards to score or that their passes are tape to tape. A team meeting willnot increase players speed or willingness to shoot rather than look for the perfect pass and shot. I hate to say this but this team is old and slow and Im sure their legs are tired. They are a playoff team but for how much longer? Theya re no longer a Cup team no matter what the GM or owner thinks. Time to face facts they have held onto some players to long and signed othrs to to high a contract for way to many years. Unless some of these players retire I dont see a large market and tons of value for them. Sometimes you have to let a player go, either by not resigning or by trade and get younger along the way rather than keep getting draft picks at the bottom of the rounds and not picking well.
eh youre wrong about the players meeting not making a difference. mentality is key. but youre not wrong that its time for GMBM to go. thanks for helping us get a cup, but ill always wonder how many cups we could have had. especially if we kept trotz, for instance.
Trotz had an agreement with Ted and violated it. He was not fired.
Things were going badly enough to call a players’ meeting. Let’s hope it has the results they hope for.
Says everything we need to know about the effectiveness of this coaching staff. Fire him now. Make Oshie player/coach. Play McM.
Disappointing trade deadline moves. Claude Giroux was available and the Caps passed while Florida made themselves cup favorites by getting him.z