Alex Ovechkin

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin left Monday night's game at Carolina in the opening period with an apparent right knee injury. Ovechkin was injured with 7:55 left in the first period. He appeared to initiate a knee-to-knee collision with Carolina's Tim Gleason as the defenseman attempted to take the puck out of the Hurricanes' zone. Ovechkin was down on the ice for several minutes before he was helped off, grimacing while he was bent over at the waist. He was given a 5-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. Gleason also was helped to Carolina's dressing room for an injury assessment. Ovechkin leads the ... Read Full Story

Brian Pothier scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Washington Capitals won their fourth in a row without Alex Ovechkin, beating the Minnesota Wild 3-1 on Friday night. The NHL's highest scoring team was nearly thwarted by a backup goalie who more than doubled his save total for the entire season, but Pothier's wrister from the left circle 2 minutes into the final period hit just inside the far post to beat Josh Harding, who was screened on the play. Mike Green scored in the second period for the Capitals, Brooks Laich added an empty-net goal in the final minute, ... Read Full Story

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 Tuesday night'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 ... Read Full Story

Alex Ovechkin's upper-body injury doesn't seem serious, although he appears likely to miss at least one game. Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau indicated Monday that Ovechkin could miss Wednesday's game at New Jersey but could return for the home-and-home against Florida on Friday and Saturday. "I would venture to guess that he's more probable for the weekend than he is for Wednesday," Boudreau said. Boudreau offered few other details about the injury, which forced Ovechkin to leave in the second period of Sunday's overtime loss to Columbus. Ovechkin appeared to hurt his left shoulder or left arm during a scrum that started when he ... Read Full Story

When Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scored his 50th goal of the season Thursday, he not only became the first captain in franchise history to have three 50-goal seasons, he also proved why celebration dances never caught on in the NHL. After scoring his 50th goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ovechkin dropped his stick on the ice and danced around it as if warming his hands on an invisible flame. Yes, he acted as if his stick was on fire. But NHL players, coaches and fans just didn't seem to enjoy Ovechkin's show. Perhaps it's because hockey players aren't great dancers, or ... Read Full Story