WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals have confirmed that star forward Alex Ovechkin is sidelined with an injury after Monday night's game. The Capitals’ PR team released a statement on Tuesday, noting that Ovechkin is undergoing evaluations and his status will be updated as more information becomes available.
What happened?
The injury reportedly occurred during Monday night’s game against the Utah Hockey Club, where Ovechkin took a hard hit in the third period. Ovechkin collided with Utah forward Jack McBain. He was slow to get up and had to be helped to the bench by teammate Jakob Chychrun.
Ovechkin initially tried to skate off the injury but was visibly in pain and eventually limped to the locker room, according to the NHL.
The Capitals announced he will undergo further evaluations with team physicians in Washington on Wednesday.
Impact on the Capitals:
The injury is a significant blow to the Capitals, who have been red-hot with a 7-2-1 record in their past 10 games and sit atop the Metropolitan Division (13-4-1). Losing Ovechkin, who leads the NHL with 15 goals this season, is a challenge for the team.
What’s next?
The Capitals have a day off Tuesday and will return to practice on Wednesday ahead of their Thursday home game against the Colorado Avalanche at Capital One Arena. In Ovechkin’s absence, the team will need to lean on younger players like Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome.
The injury comes at a critical time in both Ovechkin’s career and the Capitals’ season. The team, currently in a strong position, will need to maintain their momentum without their leader.
For now, Washington and the hockey world wait with bated breath for updates on the health of this sports icon.