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.”
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:
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.”
