WASHINGTON — T.J. Oshie returned to the Washington Capitals’ lineup Sunday, getting back just in time for the ceremony honoring his milestone of playing in 1,000 NHL games.
And, more importantly, at a crucial juncture of the season, with his team trying desperately to make the playoffs. Oshie had two assists in a 3-0 victory over Winnipeg that pushed Washington back into a playoff position.
“We found a way to get the job done,” Oshie said. “That was my message to them before the game is how much I absolutely appreciate all this stuff, but we need to get a win, that is focus No. 1.”
Oshie was back after missing the past two games because of injury. The 37-year-old winger has been out off and on in recent months dealing with nagging back problems that have threatened to derail his career.
“I know he’s had a lot of injuries, but he’s a big part of, especially their success when they won the Cup,” said Jets assistant Scott Arniel, who was on staff with Washington for four seasons coaching Oshie. “He’s an unbelievable professional to work with, a first-class person, first-class father, teammate, all that stuff.”
Especially with Tom Wilson serving a six-game suspension, the Capitals could use a healthy Oshie down the stretch. Their next game Tuesday at home against Detroit is pivotal in the Eastern Conference playoff race, chasing the Red Wings for a wild-card spot.
“I find even of late, we’re missing a little bit of his poise with the puck, his veteran presence on the ice when things get a little bit scrambly,” coach Spencer Carbery said Sunday before the game. “He can calm things down because he can find a way out of a situation with a lot of poise and calmness. … He handles those situations as good as anybody I’ve been around with his poise.”
Capitals players wore No. 77 jerseys during pregame warmups that will be autographed and auctioned, with proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. Oshie’s dad, Tim, died of the disease, which he was struggling with when father and son shared an emotional moment on the ice in Las Vegas when Washington won the Stanley Cup in 2018.
Oshie is in his ninth season with the Capitals after playing his first seven with the St. Louis Blues. The Warroad, Minnesota, native played in his 1,000th regular-season game on March 16 at Vancouver.
“I was really excited to just get to No. 1,000,” Oshie said. “I guess you don’t really think…