Alex Ovechkin is dealing with a lower-body injury as the Washington Capitals navigate training camp and the preseason with the Russian winger gearing up for a 22nd and potentially final NHL season.
Ovechkin returned to the ice on Wednesday, but lasted only 15 minutes before leaving practice after his injury “didn’t feel right.”
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said Ovechkin’s exit was precautionary, with the winger labeled day-to-day.
“Didn’t quite feel right to practice today,” Carbery said, per Tom Gulitti. “Came out, gave it a try, but we just want to be cautious with it at this point and not push it.
“Him being out there and practicing is a pretty good indicator that it’s not too serious. I think it’s just not wanting to push it if he’s not quite 100 percent at this point before the season.”
Carbery added there is no concern that the injury will linger into the regular season at this point.
Washington announced on Monday that Ovechkin was dealing with an undisclosed lower-body injury after it forced him out of practice Sunday and Monday. The Capitals were off Tuesday before their captain tested the injury Wednesday.
Ovechkin began Wednesday’s session alongside Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard. Ivan Miroshnichenko replaced him after his departure and took his repetitions on the first power-play unit.
David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Ovechkin has yet to play in Washington’s preseason games, with two more coming on Friday and Saturday. Carbery declined Monday to commit to playing him during the remaining preseason matchups, leaving open the possibility he enters the regular season without having appeared in any exhibition.
The Capitals practice again on Thursday before hosting the Boston Bruins on Friday night, then visit the Philadelphia Flyers for Saturday’s preseason finale.
Washington opens the regular season against the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 2.
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