Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is facing a setback in his impressive season after sustaining a lower leg injury during a collision with Utah’s Jack McBain. The team announced that the 39-year-old player will be out week-to-week as he undergoes further evaluation with team physicians in D.C.
Ovechkin, who had scored two goals in Monday’s game before the injury, is now just 27 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 894 goals. This injury not only hampers his personal milestone pursuit but also disrupts his stellar performance this season.
The collision, which occurred during the third period, left Ovechkin in visible pain as he was helped off the ice. Despite the accidental nature of the collision, Ovechkin’s teammate Tom Wilson took it upon himself to challenge and fight McBain later in the game.
Capitals coach Spencer Carbery praised Ovechkin’s leadership both on and off the ice, highlighting his significant contribution to the team’s success this season. Ovechkin’s absence will undoubtedly be felt as the Capitals strive to maintain their strong position in the Eastern Conference.
Ovechkin’s injury marks a challenging moment for the Capitals as they navigate through the season, relying on other players to step up in his absence. The team’s resilience and ability to adapt to this setback will be crucial in determining their performance moving forward. Fans and teammates alike will be eagerly awaiting Ovechkin’s return to the ice as he continues his pursuit of hockey greatness.