TJ Oshie to return to Capitals’ lineup Thursday, Ovechkin and Wilson game-time decisions

One of the key offensive weapons is returning to the Washington Capitals lineup, while two might be out.

Following the team’s morning skate on Thursday, Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carberry says TJ Oshie will be in the lineup against the Seattle Kraken. However, Alexander Ovechkin and Tom Wilson might not be, with Carberry labeling them as “true game-time decisions.”

Oshie had been out of the lineup since Dec. 16, as he was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. He had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed injury in his home state of Minnesota. The former St. Louis Blue also missed six games in late November, and into early December, with a another upper-body injury.

In 21 games, Oshie has scored just two goals and two assists

The 37-year-old had to miss the final few games of the 2022-23 season with an upper-body injury, though he had been nursing various injuries throughout the season.

According to Carberry, Ovechkin has been hindered by a lower-body injury, but will be taking warmups. The Russian-born superstar has not missed a game this season. In 38 games, he has scored eight goals and 18 assists.

It was not confirmed on whether or not Wilson be participate in warmups. He has been listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury after taking Alexis Laferriere’s stick to the face in a game against the Los Angeles Kings last Sunday. Wilson did practice earlier this week with a face shield on, and Carberry told the media Wilson’s decision will be based on how comfortable his face is.

In 38 games this season, the 29-year-old has scored 11 goals, along with eight assists.

Coming into Thursday, Washington (19-13-6) is tied for fifth in the Metropolitan Division with the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins. They are all four points back of the Philadelphia Flyers for third, but one point back of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.