In the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Washington Capitals won’t have the services of veteran forward T.J. Oshie for Tuesday’s game at the Buffalo Sabres.

Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery told reporters that Oshie would sit out, but no specific reason was given.

Oshie, 37, has been battling an upper-body injury and did not skate Monday due to maintenance. He has 11 goals and 22 points in 47 games this season.

In 16 seasons with the St. Louis Blues (2008-15) and Capitals, Oshie has 301 goals and 391 assists in 1,005 games. The Blues selected Oshie with the 24th pick in the first round of the 2005 draft.

The Capitals (36-27-10, 82 points) entered Tuesday tied with the Red Wings (37-30-8, 82 points) for the East’s second wild-card spot, but they have two games in hand on Detroit. Washington is also one point behind the Philadelphia Flyers (36-29-11, 83 points), who are in third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Oshie has been playing on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Connor McMichael, but Nicolas Aube-Kubel is expected to join the top line in Oshie’s absence.

Defenseman Rasmus Sandin will rejoin Washington’s lineup after missing Saturday’s game with a lower-body injury. Sandin, who has three goals and 23 points in 64 games this season, will play alongside Nick Jensen on the second defensive pairing.

–Field Level Media