Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin left the crew Tuesday whereas attending “to a household matter and the well being of a cherished one,” the crew introduced.
Washington
Alex Ovechkin, dealing with family matter, leaves Capitals
Washington Capitals senior vice chairman and common supervisor Brian MacLellan introduced as we speak that captain Alex Ovechkin will probably be away from the crew to take care of a household matter and the well being of a cherished one.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 14, 2023
The Capitals didn’t launch additional particulars on Ovechkin’s departure and Laviolette didn’t specify when the 37-year-old may return. It was unclear if Ovechkin remained in the US or had returned to Russia.
Ovechkin, who handed Gordie Howe for second place on the NHL’s all-time objectives listing earlier this season, addressed the crew at its follow facility in Arlington on Tuesday morning earlier than departing.
“Hear, it’s robust generally. Life is hard,” Laviolette mentioned. “On the subject of your loved ones and oldsters, that’s what issues. He’s going to take care of some issues proper now and we’re going to be supportive.”
With Ovechkin out, the Capitals recalled heart Joe Snively from its American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey, Pa., forward of Tuesday’s recreation. Because of Ovechkin’s absence, Laviolette blended his traces at Tuesday’s morning skate and tinkered along with his energy play, giving reps to heart Evgeny Kuznetsov in Ovechkin’s place.
The lack of Ovechkin compounds the absences of different key gamers in Washington’s lineup, together with defenseman John Carlson, who stays out after being hit within the face with a puck in December. Ahead Tom Wilson and heart Nic Dowd are each nonetheless sidelined with decrease physique accidents. Wilson skated Tuesday morning however shouldn’t be anticipated to play towards the Hurricanes; Dowd stays on injured reserve.
Ahead Anthony Mantha, who missed Sunday’s 4-1 loss to San Jose with an sickness, additionally returned to the lineup Tuesday.
“It’s completely different once you lose actually any participant for damage versus a household matter, and particularly the massive man, who’s created lots of success not just for the group however for people within the room, me being positively certainly one of them. You play somewhat bit more durable in moments like this,” veteran T.J. Oshie mentioned of shedding Ovechkin. “We’re fascinated with him and we’re lacking him and wishing him all the very best, for certain.”