The Washington Capitals announced Tuesday that superstar captain Alex Ovechkin is stepping away from the club "to attend to a family matter and the health of a loved one."
Washington Capitals senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today that captain Alex Ovechkin will be away from the team to attend to a family matter and the health of a loved one.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 14, 2023
It sounds like the Capitals could be without Ovechkin for some time.
"When it comes to your family and parents, that's what matters," Capitals coach Peter Laviolette told reporters Tuesday, per Tom Gulitti of the NHL website. "He's going to deal with some things right now and we're going to be supportive. I don't see him back in the foreseeable future."
Per Gulitti, Laviolette doesn't expect Ovechkin to return this week. The Capitals (28-21-6) host the Carolina Hurricanes (34-10-8) on Tuesday and the Florida Panthers (27-23-6) on Thursday. The Capitals are at the Hurricanes this Saturday.
The AP added that Ovechkin's situation could be made more difficult if he needs to head to his native Russia because of travel restrictions related to that country's invasion of Ukraine. Laviolette declined to say if Ovechkin has to fly overseas.
According to ESPN stats, Ovechkin, 37, leads the Capitals this season with 32 goals and 54 points across 54 games played. He begins his absence on 812 career goals and trails only Wayne Gretzky (894) for the most goals in NHL history.
Washington, meanwhile, is on 62 points and holds an Eastern Conference wild-card playoff spot. The Pittsburgh Penguins possess the second wild-card berth with 61 points, while the Panthers and New York Islanders have 60 points.
Forward Nicklas Backstrom offered his support for Ovechkin but also reminded everyone the Capitals have to remain focused for Tuesday night:
"We're here supporting him. We're on his side and hope everything goes well."
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 14, 2023
Nicklas Backstrom discusses Alex Ovechkin, the team rebounding from a tough loss last time out and facing Carolina twice this week after morning skate.#CapsCanes | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/ER1IjTGokP
Forward T.J. Oshie confirmed Ovechkin met with his teammates prior to their morning skate on Tuesday.
"Definitely, it's nice to get to see him and give him a hug and let him know that we're here for him in person rather than over text," Oshie added. "We're thinking about him and we're missing him and wishing him all the best, for sure."
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