The Capitals will be without Alex Ovechkin for the foreseeable future after the organization announced in a statement from general manager Brian MacLellan that the star winger would be away from the team for personal reasons.
The statement from MacLellan indicates Ovechkin is expected to miss at least the remainder of this week’s games, and potentially longer, while dealing with “a family matter and the health of a loved one.”
Capitals coach Peter Laviolette indicated Ovechkin could be out for quite some time, saying he doesn’t envision the captain making a return “in the foreseeable future,” per the Associated Press.
The Capitals are slated to face the Hurricanes twice this week, once in Washington and once in Raleigh, N.C., as well as a matchup at home against the Panthers. Ovechkin is not expected to be available for any of those games, and he could well be sidelined into late February or beyond.
The captain’s absence also will put a temporary hold on his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record. Ovechkin, who has scored 812 career goals, and 32 this season, just recently slotted himself into second all-time in the league’s scoring books after surpassing Gordie Howe (801). Ovechkin remains 82 goals shy of Gretzky’s unparalleled mark.
The 37-year-old Ovechkin is enjoying another stellar season for the Capitals, registering 54 points in as many games. Hopefully, he can get back on the ice soon and help Washington as it looks to maintain its footing in the playoff race. The Capitals currently sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
