If Last Night Was His Final Game, I Will Build The TJ Oshie Monument In DC Starting Immediately
This is the TJ Oshie appreciation blog. It's sort of long overdue to be honest. Even though Osh has "only" played 9 seasons in Washington, I'd say he is as revered and appreciated as any Capital, ever. He has cemented himself as a Washington Capitals legend over the last decade, and not just because he did the jersey chug at the Stanley Cup parade.
Advertisement
Oshie has given everything and more to this organization, both on and off the ice. It's almost a cliche how perfect of a hockey player he is- takes no shifts off, works harder than everyone, puts his body on the line regardless of the score, teammates and fans love him, and he gives back to the community more than most. Nobody makes his teammates better through pure hard work like Oshie does.
And because of all of that, he has been hurt..constantly. Playing through pain, constantly. Doing everything and more to help the team win when most people would be in a suit and tie in the press box. I mean I could go on and on and on.
And now we learn Oshie played game 4 last night with a broken hand. Of course he did. It would have been easy for him to take the night off, as the Rangers are up 3-0 in the series, but that's not what TJ Oshie is about. Almost to a fault, he will be on the ice no matter what, helping his teammates. The Caps could have been down 99 games to none in a first to 100 series and he'd still be out there.
But now comes the sad part- there's a chance last night was Oshie's final game. He's 37 years old and has been playing through chronic injury and pain for years now. He has a young family and quite frankly has given everything possible to this organization. He was the final player off the ice last night which will bring a tear to your eye if you have a soul.
Why am I crying in the club right now?
If this is it for TJ Oshie, I will start construction on the statue immediately. He is the unsung hero of this core that brought us the Cup in 2018. Not the goal scorer like Ovi or the perfect center like Backstrom or the defensive MVP like Carlson, but TJ Oshie has been the glue and heartbeat of the team. I hope he's got one more in him, but if not, number 77 will always be a Washington legend.
John McCreary. Getty Images.