It’s not exactly the kind of break that Alex Ovechkin was seeking. But his two-game suspension by the NHL at least gives the Capitals star forward a few extra days to heal from the knee injury he suffered Monday night at Carolina and the upper-body strain that cost him six games last month.

That’s about the only upside to his knee-on-knee hit on Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason on Monday — his second ejection in three games, which then led to his first suspension as an NHL player.

“It is what it is. Nothing I want to say about it,” a curt Ovechkin said about the suspension after practice on Wednesday. “I’m disappointed.”

Ovechkin can’t play again until next Monday at Tampa. He did participate in practice on Wednesday — albeit while wearing an orange “no-contact” jersey. But he still skated up and down the ice without any obvious struggle. When he changed out of his gear afterward he dropped a neoprene sleeve in front of his locker.

But any thought that Ovechkin is about to curtail his attacking style of play because of the Gleason hit — or the Patrick Kaleta boarding penalty and game misconduct he took last week against the Sabres — is unlikely.”

Click here to read the full article – By Washington Examiner

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Nicklas Backstrom and Jose Theodore had their most productive games in a long time, but this victory was marred by another ejection and another injury for Alex Ovechkin.

Backstrom had two goals and assisted on a third, and Theodore had 38 saves as the Washington Capitals defeated the lowly Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 on Monday night at RBC Center. It was Washington’s third straight victory, and the Caps kept pace with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

We found another way to win today, and we’re happy about it,” Backstrom said. “I think maybe when the best player goes out, it is a challenge for other guys.”

Ovechkin was ejected for the second time in three games, but that could be the least of the worries for the Caps. He collided with Carolina’s Tim Gleason and was given a five-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct 12:05 into the first period. His right knee hit Gleason’s left and both writhed on the ice in pain.

Click here to read the full article – By Washington Times

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Alex Ovechkin isn’t saying for sure, but all signs suggest his injury absence is over and he’ll play against the New York Rangers.


The two-time NHL MVP practiced with the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. Barring any setbacks, he is expected to be in the lineup for tonight’s game in New York.

Ovechkin has missed six games because of an upper body injury, believed to be a left shoulder strain. He entered Tuesday tied for the NHL lead with 14 goals despite playing only 14 games.

Ovechkin says he’s excited to play again.

“It’s going to be a pretty cool moment for me,” he says.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

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Alex Ovechkin says he was joking when he told a reporter over the weekend that he could be out more than a month.

The Washington Capitals star practiced lightly Monday and said he would actually miss about a week.

He hasn’t played since leaving a Nov. 1 game against Columbus after he was hurt in a scrum. The Capitals said last week that Ovechkin, whose 14 goals and 23 points lead the team, was week to week with what they called an upper-body problem.

Ovechkin, who was quoted by Yahoo! Sports on Saturday night as saying he could miss four or five weeks, insisted his left shoulder was not affected by the still unspecified injury, animatedly flexing the joint and telling reporters with a smile, “The shoulder’s fine, see?”

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

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Alex Ovechkin has accumulated one of the game’s greatest collections of highlights and already owns a trophy case full of major awards. But even he was at a loss when asked to explain such a sublime start to his fifth professional season.

“Thank God, I’ve had a little bit luck,” the Washington Capitals’ star left winger said. “And when I score goals, guys give me nice assists.”

After notching two goals and an assist in Tuesday’s 6-5 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, Ovechkin became the first player in 27 years to score at least three points in the first three games of the season, joining Hall of Famers Guy Lafleur and Peter Stastny. It also marked the first time in Ovechkin’s career that he has scored three points in three straight games.

“It’s funny, after the first period [in Philly], the coaches said, ‘Jeez, it just doesn’t look like Alex has it tonight,’ ” Coach Bruce Boudreau said. “I said, he’s got six points in the first two games. He can’t do this forever. Then he goes and gets three. He surprises you every day.”

Click here to read the full article – By Tarik El-Bashir of Washington Post

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Wayne Gretzky’s career total of 894 goals is supposed to be unreachable, but if Alex Ovechkin were to duplicate what he has accomplished in his first four seasons three more times, he would begin the first year of his new contract within reach of the Great One’s hallowed achievement.

History says not so fast, but is the Great No. 8 the guy who can defy it?

“I don’t think there is anything out of reach for him,” Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee said. “He’s got everything. He’s got ability, he’s got the drive and he’s got the strength. He’s got all the physical attributes, but he’s got all the intangibles as well.”

Ovechkin has scored 219 goals in his first four NHL seasons – nearly 55 a year. If he replicates those numbers for the next 12 seasons, it would leave him 18 shy of Gretzky when his 13-year, $124 million deal expires after the 2020-21 season.

Click here to read the full article – By Corey Masisak of Washington Times

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