O-No, Ovechkin Injured; Leaves Game vs. Flyers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Alex Ovechkin exited the Washington Capitals’ preseason tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers early in the first period with a lower-body injury, per the team. He will not return to finish the game.

Cycling in the offensive zone, the captain delivered a big hit on Travis Konecny near the left circle. Ovechkin went to skate away after the hit but wobbled and appeared to buckle as he fell.

Ovechkin stayed down for a few moments, and the trainer started to come onto the ice before he slowly got up and skated off under his own power. He appeared to be limping a bit and not putting too much weight on his left leg as he went straight down the tunnel.

Alex Ovechkin hobbled off the ice after hitting Travis Konecny. pic.twitter.com/4M3nFl2IoL

— Ryan Gilbert (@RGilbertSOP) October 8, 2021

The 36-year-old winger was playing in his third exhibition game for Washington. He has two assists through the preseason so far.

Ovechkin signed a five-year extension with Washington in July and currently sits two goals shy of passing Marcel Dionne for fifth on the NHL’s all-time goals list. The Russian was also named to the Russian Olympic Committee’s initial roster on Friday.

It’s unclear if the injury is severe at this point. However, Ovechkin’s void would obviously be a major one to fill, especially with Nicklas Backstrom already out.