3 players who can make an impact in the NHL Playoffs

The Washington Capitals are headed to the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. That’s the second longest active streak in the NHL behind the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have made it to the dance the last 16 seasons.

According to NHL Public Relations, the Caps run of eight consecutive playoff appearances is the second longest in franchise history behind a stretch of 14 straight from 1983 to 1996. Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, who between them own the Capitals records for career playoff goals, assists, points and games played, extend their shared franchise benchmark for most years in the postseason to 14.

Here are 3 players who are the key to the Capitals going the distance.

#3 T.J. Oshie

T.J. Oshie has hardly been on the ice much this season due to injuries but when he’s on the ice he’s a key impact player on this Capitals team. In 37 games played, Oshie has 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points. He’d easily have a 20 goal season if he was healthy the full year.

In 66 playoff games Oshie has 23 goals and 29 assists for 52 points. That includes eight goals in Washington’s run to the Stanley Cup in 2018. Oshie is the heart and soul of the Caps and isn’t afraid to be physical and physical play is what will be needed if the Caps were to face the Florida Panthers in the first round.