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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mary Clarke

Alex Ovechkin’s injury amidst Wayne Gretzky record hunt left NHL fans distraught

Alex Ovechkin Wayne Gretzky NHL Capitals Jack McBain

While certainly not the worst case scenario, Alex Ovechkin’s quest to break Wayne Gretzky’s goals scoring record will be put on pause for a few weeks due to an unfortunate injury.

On Monday, Ovechkin was pulled in the third period from the Washington Capitals’ game against the Utah Hockey Club due to an injury. Ovechkin and Jack McBain collided knee-on-knee in the middle of the ice on accident and the Capitals forward had to be helped off the ice after the hit.

Ovechkin had already scored two goals in Monday’s game, bringing him within 26 goals of tying Gretzky’s record.

Then on Tuesday, the Capitals announced that Ovechkin would be out week-to-week with an injury to his lower leg and would be reevaluated in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.

The news is an incredible blow to Ovechkin’s chase to break Gretzky’s record, if only because the 39-year-old was on such a tear in recent games. Over the last two games, Ovechkin put up five — yes, five — goals and was making a real push to close the gap on Gretzky. Not only that, Ovechkin’s recent surge has him sitting at the top of the NHL in goals scored this year with 15, marking an incredible start to his season.

It’s a shame Ovechkin will be out for a few weeks during this exciting chase, but at least he’s set to return sometime this season to continue the hunt. NHL fans, however, were distraught at the news amidst a historic race.

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