BREAKING: Alex Ovechkin suddenly leaves the Washington Capitals

We just learned in the last few minutes that forward Alex Ovechkin will temporarily leave the Washington Capitals to attend to a family matter and the health of a loved one.

It was the team's general manager, Brian MacLellan, who announced the news.

This is terrible news for the Capitals, who are already on the fringe of a playoff spot. Of course, family always comes first, and we wish the best to Ovechkin in this tough time.

We will update this story as more details are released.

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