Capitals Alex Ovechkin suffers injury a few days before training camp

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Daniel Lucente
September 16, 2024 (11:11)

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Just as Alex Ovechkin was taking part in an informal morning drill with his team, he pulled back and appeared to wince in pain, and immediately left the ice.

The Washington Capitals and their fans must be holding their breaths after reports surfaced that Alex Ovechkin suffered an injury scare in a casual skate on Monday.

According to Sammi Silber of The Hockey News, Ovechkin left the ice looking uncomfortable just after the first drill of the session.

Silber said the Russian star went to the bench before heading to the locker room.

Capitals players head to physicals on Wednesday with training camp set to begin the next day.

Alex Ovechkin, who turns 39 on Tuesday, sits at 853 career goals, which is just 41 shy of Wayne Gretzky's all-time record. Last season he tallied 31 goals and 34 assists in 79 games.

If this injury isn't too serious, Alex Ovechkin could definitely surpass Wayne Gretzky's goal record by the end of this season. Ovi is a consistent goal-scorer, and he has been durable and determined to stay healthy to keep playing in his later years, which is why he was seen starting to skate with the team so early in the off-season. He has a powerful shot and sharp instincts for scoring goals, which keeps him as one of the most dangerous players in the league despite his age. He's lethal on the power play.

However, as players decline through age, possible injuries, such as the one he possibly suffered today, and changes in the lineup around him with the Washington Capitals in a semi-rebuild mode, it could take its toll in his pursuit of the record. It could be hard to keep the pace needed to break the historic record set by Wayne Gretzky if either his team struggles or his production falls.

Fans will be keeping a close eye on this latest development and will be watching him closely throughout the season.

Source: ESPN
Alex Ovechkin Stats