Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie, who played in his 500th game as a member of the team, recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick in the team’s Saturday matinee against the New York Rangers, in a spirited contest that saw the tenacious forward pick up two goals.
Oshie scored his first goal on the power play just 4:25 into the first period, marking the second consecutive game with a goal.
T.J. Oshie breaks the ice for the Capitals with a redirect tally on the power play, 1-0 Washington!#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/vkfQkbHrqW
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) February 25, 2023
His second tally would come at the 3:16 mark of the second frame:
Oshie again! T.J. Oshie bangs home Strome’s back pass for his second goal of the game, 2-1 Capitals!#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/7dhizTVBfd
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) February 25, 2023
No. 77 would find himself out of the good graces of the visiting Blueshirts after a hit on defenseman Ryan Lindgren (brother of Capitals goaltender Charlie) sent the blueliner to the locker room with an apparent shoulder injury.
Lindgren’s hurt and off to the locker room after this hit from Oshie – no call on the play pic.twitter.com/QAwie8iPdk
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) February 25, 2023
Oshie appeared to be remorseful for the result of the hit, which did not get called as a penalty.
#ALLCAPS TJ OSHIE mic'd up. "im sorry dude" pic.twitter.com/8J77DVFmMS
— Capitals Replays (@capsreplays) February 25, 2023
Oshie would drop the gloves with the Rangers’ Barclay Goodrow just moments later, answering the bell for subtracting one of New York’s best defensemen.
Spirited tilt between Barclay Goodrow and T.J. Oshie after Oshie laid a big hit on Lindgren 👊#NYR | #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/uXL8mFskNe
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) February 25, 2023
The final puzzle piece of the Gordie Howe Hat Trick (a Goal, Assist, and a fight) came on a goal from Sonny Milano just over halfway through the middle frame.
Sonny Milano’s rebound try squeaks over the goal line, extending Washington’s lead to 3!#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/4qF0z7c1q9
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) February 25, 2023
The 36-year old finished the afternoon with a 2G, 1A performance in 15:20 of ice time for Head Coach Peter Laviolette and now has 14 goals and 10 assists in 43 Games Played this season.
By Michael Fleetwood
Oshie is the straw! I know Ovi wears the C, but Osh knows how to get this team going.
Osh is the heart of the Caps.
Nobody chirping about trading him today….thank Hpd. Another old guy being very productive in games played. Don’t understand how one of the youngsters hasn’t been given his spot…
So glad he didn’t want to go home to Seattle because as he said, DC is his home no!!
Backstrom should have given his spot.
wow, what a game….Oshie came out and helped set the tone for the team and the boys followed. Seems like they played with some anger, some urgency and passion tonight. Most of all, they played with some pride after getting humiliated by the Canes on national TV and then with Anaheim.
Just hope they now play with some consistency. They don’t do too well with back to back games, but let’s go, boys! Go Caps!!!
I see the Canes threw 53 shots at Ducks’ Gibson and still lost 3-2. Makes the Caps loss more palatable.
Sheesh. Gibson heating up late in the season.