The Washington Capitals released an update on captain Alexander Ovechkin’s injury status and corresponding roster moves on Wednesday.
In a statement, the team announced Ovechkin was placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least seven days, per league guidelines.
The 39-year old suffered a lower-leg injury after colliding with the Utah Hockey Club’s Jack McBain in the third period of Washington’s 6-2 win on Monday. The team subsequently listed him as “week-to-week” on Tuesday.
Head coach Spencer Carbery provided his perspective on Ovechkin’s injury to 106.7 The Fan on Wednesday morning.
“I think week-to-week is pretty accurate,” Carbery confirmed. “This isn’t something where his season is ending.”
That will surely be a relief to fans who were witnessing one of the hottest scoring streaks in Ovechkin’s 20-season career.
He currently leads the NHL in goals (15) and had scored five in his last five periods played with his two tallies against Utah on Monday and his 31st career hat-trick the night before.
He now pauses his season with 868 career goals, just 27 shy of passing Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky for most all-time (894).
Carbery added team doctors will evaluate Ovechkin further Wednesday and the team will provide information as it becomes available to prevent speculation over one of the league’s most popular players.
Washington recalled forward Ivan Miroshnichenko from its AHL affiliate to fill Ovechkin’s roster spot while moving forward Sonny Milano to long-term injured reserve with an upper body injury he’s been nursing since mid-October.
Ovechkin’s IR stint means he’ll miss at least the team’s next two games (Thursday vs. Colorado, Saturday vs. New Jersey) but if his recovery goes well, he could be eligible to return for Monday’s game against the Florida Panthers.