Hold Your Breath: Capitals Say Ovechkin is “Week-to-Week”

The Capitals announced on Monday that Alex Ovechkin is "week-to-week" with an injury suffered in Sunday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

From the Washington Capitals:

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin suffered an upper-body strain in Sunday evening’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and his status is week-to-week, the team determined Monday.

Ovechkin, the NHL leader in points (23) and goals (14) and the league’s Second Star of the Month for October, is expected to miss the fifth game of his five-year career on Wednesday at New Jersey. He has only missed two games due to injury in his first four seasons.

“We have to buckle down,” head coach Bruce Boudreau said earlier Monday. “A goal a game he scores, so we got to play better defense and cannot allow four or five goals a game. You have to win 3-1 and 2-1 and if you get lucky sometimes make it a 4-2 game. I think we have enough character players who understand what we will have to do without Alex.”

Ovechkin played just 7:43 of Sunday’s overtime loss to Columbus and was held without a point for just the third time this year. He was examined and treated by the team’s medical staff and underwent an MRI exam on Monday.

The two-time reigning most valuable player will travel with the Capitals this week to continue to receive medical treatment.

Analysis: Cory Masisak sums up what this really means in a Twitter post he made Monday evening saying, “This is my third year covering the team, and the Caps haven’t called anyone “week-to-week” that didn’t miss significant time.”

Needless this is not good news for fans of Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Not only will this put the team in a tough position to replace their best offensive weapon, but it’s unfortunate for Ovechkin himself because he was off to such a great start to the season.

He tallied 14 times in the first 14 games of the season putting him on a goal per game pace and a chance at the magical 50 in 50.

The good news out of this is that the team reported that he did take an MRI which came back negative meaning there’s no serious damage to the shoulder or arm. Never the less, Ovie has proven he can play through pain so an injury that has the potential to keep him out for multiple weeks must be somewhat severe.

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