T.J. Oshie Reflects On Return From Injury, What Went Wrong For Capitals In Loss To Jets: 'Reality Check For Us'

The Washington Capitals did get a positive out of Monday's disappointing 3-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, as T.J. Oshie made his long-awaited return from an upper-body ailment that held him out for nearly three weeks.

Oshie, who suffered the non-contact injury on Feb. 21 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, said it was good to be back but added it was a tough result and took time to get going again.

"It's always great to be back on the ice. Watching from upstairs isn't as fun when you wanna be out there, so good to be back," Oshie told reporters in Winnipeg. "Obviously, not the performance that we wanted. I was pretty rusty early, and you kinda wanna come back humming a little bit. Tough loss for the team, but nice to be out there."

When it comes to what went wrong for the group in Monday's defeat, Oshie said it was a matter of speed and being outworked over the course of the night, especially in the first.

"I think we were just a little slow supporting each other, not communicating as much. when you play a team like Winnipeg, that they pinch on everything, they're ultra-aggressive on the forecheck, aggressive in-zone, when you don't have that communication and that close support, it's tough to make plays and they outnumber you and they got pretty good team speed that once you turn the puck over, they're coming back to our end pretty quick," Oshie said, adding, "It just got away from us."

The 37-year-old added that the game was a "little reality check" for the group, which is in the midst of the biggest road trip of the season and has a tough schedule ahead that can determine the playoff race.

"There's no use feeling sorry for ourselves...obviously the opponent here tonight was different than the last two that we faced, so maybe a little bit reality check for us that we gotta be going as a full 20-man unit," Oshie said. "Simple, direct, outwork the other team first and foremost, and then let our skill and puck touches and support take over after that."