Oshie supports neutral-site games if it means chance to play for Cup
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Consider Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie on board with neutral-site games if the NHL deems that a viable solution to its hiatus.
"I want to play. It doesn't necessarily matter too much to me where it is," Oshie said Monday, according to The Athletic's Tarik El-Bashir. "Obviously, North Dakota is probably the No. 1 place I'd want to play in the world, so that would be amazing.
"But with our team and with just how much effort, not only us and myself personally but everyone in the league puts forth during the regular season, all the blocked shots, all the injuries, all that stuff, that all is geared toward getting in the playoffs and having a chance to raise the Cup, and to not have that possibility is a hard pill to swallow. So if it's a neutral site, if that's what you have to do to have a chance to win a Cup, I'm all for it."
Multiple cities have contacted the NHL about hosting games since the league shut down March 12. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Grand Forks, North Dakota - where Oshie played for the University of North Dakota from 2005-08 - are all reportedly interested.
At the time of the shutdown, the Capitals occupied first place in the Metropolitan Division with 90 points through 69 games. Oshie had recorded 26 goals and 23 assists.
He put up 21 points in 24 playoff games to help the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018.