Capitals star Alex Ovechkin missed practice Wednesday for a maintenance day, and is considered “day-to-day” after crashing into the boards during Monday’s game against the St. Louis Blues.
Ovechkin’s status for Thursday’s matchup with the Nashville Predators still needs to be determined, coach Barry Trotz said.
If Ovechkin is out, it will be his first missed game in two seasons. He played all 82 last year and has appeared in every game so far this season.
Trotz said he isn’t concerned about Ovechkin’s status moving forward.
“He was on the ice early today, and they just kept him off,” Trotz said. “We’ll see where he is tomorrow.”
Trotz has said the Capitals will be “ultra cautious” with the playoffs only a week away. Forward T.J. Oshie (lower body) sat out Monday in St. Louis, but was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice. Jay Beagle (upper body) will miss his second straight game, following his exit Sunday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Capitals can afford to let players rest because they have clinched a playoff spot and the Metropolitan Division.
Ovechkin fell into the boards early in the first period in St. Louis, after appearing to slip on the ice. Replays showed Ovechkin’s knee buckle as he made contact with the boards. He got up slowly and played the rest of the game.
Ovechkin has a league-high 46 goals this season. He is four goals away from achieving his preseason target of 50, but there are just two games left in the regular season.
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