T.J. Oshie could play for the Capitals when they host the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; SNE, SNP, NBCSWA+, MSG-B, ESPN+, SN NOW) after missing the past six games with an upper-body injury.
The forward who was injured against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 17, was a full participant at practice Monday, including working with the first power-play unit, but coach Peter Laviolette wasn't ready to commit to the forward playing against the Sabres.
"Probably have a better idea in the morning just see how things go at the skate today," Laviolette said. "Probably if conversations go well, he's probably a little bit ahead of others, but we'll see after the practice today … If he was ready, we wanted to get him the reps on the power play to make sure he's ready."
Though forwards Tom Wilson (left ACL surgery) and Nicklas Backstrom (left hip resurfacing surgery) also were full participants, Laviolette said they "still have a bit" to go before they are ready to each make their season debut.
Backstrom returned to practice after being in NHL COVID-19 protocol last week.
"Nothing wrong, no setbacks, just working their way back," Laviolette said. -- Tom Gulitti