Alex Ovechkin has been listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury, the Capitals announced on Monday.
Washington’s captain fell awkwardly into the boards in the third period of Sunday’s game against Toronto while coming down on a breakaway. As he tried to shoot a backhand by Maple Leafs goaltender Erik Kallgren, he was tripped by Kallgren’s stick and went into the boards shoulder-first.
Ovechkin immediately reached for his left shoulder and left the game. He did not return as Washington went on to lose 4-3 in a shootout.
Alex Ovechkin will not return to tonight’s game after falling awkwardly into the boards. pic.twitter.com/KaWf8Jorg5
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 25, 2022
The news that he’s day-to-day provides Capitals fans with a sigh of relief. It did not look good in real time and with the playoffs right around the corner, losing Ovechkin for the rest of the season would have been a big blow to Washington’s chances at a Stanley Cup.
Ovechkin is first on the team in points with 90 and goals with 50. His 40 assists are third behind John Carlson (54) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (53).
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The team has three games left in the regular season with its next matchup on Tuesday against the Islanders. The Capitals have already clinched a playoff spot, currently sitting as the second Wild Card team. However, they are one point behind Penguins for the third spot in the Metropolitan, as well as three points behind the Bruins for the first Wild Card.
How long is Alex Ovechkin out?
“Day-to-day” is an extremely vague timetable, so when Ovechkin might return is unknown at the moment.
It’s likely that Washington will hold out Ovechkin for the remainder of the regular season out of precaution. While the Capitals can improve their playoff positioning, the risk of having Ovechkin play and potentially hurt his shoulder even more is not worth it.
The #Caps did not practice today or have media availability. Just the team picture. Ovechkin, who is day-to-day w/ an upper body injury, was present. Hard to get a feel for how he’s doing but he did not do much w/ his left arm. WSH will skate prior to hosting NYI tomorrow.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) April 25, 2022
Washington is currently facing a first-round matchup with the Panthers, the top team in the Eastern Conference. The Capitals are going to need their captain as healthy as possible if they want a chance to upset one of the best teams in the league.