Capitals' Alex Ovechkin sustains 'upper-body injury' with playoffs approaching
With the playoffs slated to start next week, the Washington Capitals are facing a significant injury scare.
Twelve-time All-Star Alex Ovechkin left Sunday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs with an upper-body injury and didn't return. He sustained the injury during a breakaway early in third period. Facing a 1-0 break after a corralling a turnover, Ovechkin attempted a shot on Maple Leafs goaltender Erik Kallgren.
He tripped over Kallgren's stick and slid hard into the boards with his left shoulder. He grimaced in pain and eventually left the ice. Per the Associated Press, he complained to officials because a penalty wasn't called.
Alex Ovechkin to the dressing room after going awkwardly into the boards pic.twitter.com/E7FWMvU3Cx
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) April 25, 2022
He didn't return to the game, and the Capitals later ruled him out with an "upper-body injury." The Capitals didn't initially offer further details about the injury, and head coach Peter Laviolette didn't provide an update after the game.
"I haven't talked to the trainer," Laviolette told reporters postgame. "We'll get an evaluation on him and see where he's at."
The Capitals lost the game in overtime, 4-3. They have three games remaining in the regular season before the playoffs are scheduled to start on May 2. They clinched a playoff berth last week.
Any injury to Ovechkin is obvious cause for concern in Washington. A three-time Hart Trophy winner as the NHL MVP, Ovechkin ranks fourth in the league this season with 50 goals.
