After recently testing positive for COVID-19, Ovechkin was not eligible to travel to Canada for Thursday's game against the Canadiens. Brett Leason was recalled from Hershey (AHL) and will likely take Ovechkin's spot in the lineup.
Ovechkin missed the final game before the All-Star break but has cleared COVID-19 protocol and is expected to play Tuesday vs. the Blue Jackets. However, he will not be eligible to travel to Montreal for Thursday's game.
Ovechkin will miss Wednesday's game vs. the Oilers and will also be forced to miss the All-Star Game this weekend. Aliaksei Protas will likely draw into the lineup to replace him.
Ovechkin has been dealing with a minor lower-body injury but was on the ice for Wednesday’s morning skate and it appears he will be available for the Capitals’ season opener. However, Ovechkin told reporters he did not know if he was playing tonight, so consider him a game-time decision.
Ovechkin's cap-hit doesn't change much, going from $9.539M AAV to $9.5M for the next five seasons. Ovechkin currently sits sixth on the all-time goal-scoring list, 164 goals behind Wayne Gretzky for first. A five-year contract will take Ovechkin to 40-years-old and he will need to average 32.8 goals per season to reach Gretzky's mark. He has averaged 52 goals per 82 games over the last three seasons.
Ovechkin has missed the last three games but was on the ice for Monday's practice and will be a game-time decision on Tuesday. The Capitals' are locked into second place in the East, so Tuesday's game does not matter. It will be interesting to see if Ovechkin draws in to get back up to speed or not.
Ovechkin tried to return to the lineup on Monday but only lasted one shift. He'll continue to sit out on Wednesday, potentially leaving the Capitals shorthanded upfront.
Ovechkin has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision on Monday, so monitor his status as the Capitals hit the ice for warmups at 6:30 PM ET.
Ovechkin was not on the ice for Monday's practice or Tuesday's morning skate and will miss his second consecutive game tonight vs. the Islanders. With Ovechkin sidelined, Daniel Sprong will remain on the top line and Tom Wilson will be on PP1.
Ovechkin missed Tuesday's practice but was on the ice for Thursday's morning skate and is expected to play vs. the Devils. Ovechkin has been heating up as of late, scoring seven goals with one assist in his last eight games.
Ovechkin was originally listed as a game-time decision after missing Friday's practice but will play this afternoon vs. the Devils. Ovechkin has had a bit of a disappointing season to-date, scoring just six goals in 15 games, but New Jersey is a team that he's dominated in his career.
