The Washington Capitals have to do without their actually indispensable superstar Alexander Ovechkin for the time being. The Russian NHL legend is sidelined due to a case of illness in his family. The club promises the 37-year-old support.
Russia’s ice hockey star Alexander Ovechkin is indefinitely unavailable to the Washington Capitals in the NHL because of a family matter. The reason is an illness in the relatives, the club and the players did not disclose any further information.
“Life is sometimes hard. When it comes to your family and your parents, that’s important,” said Caps coach Peter Laviolette: “We will support him. I don’t see him coming back to us any time soon.” Washington plays host Carolina Hurricanes outdoors in Raleigh on Saturday. Ovechkin is likely to miss the Stadium Series game.
Ovechkin has scored 32 goals this season and is the Capitals’ top scorer so far. With a total of 812 goals, the 37-year-old continues to chase the NHL record of the legendary Wayne Gretzky (894). The Russian superstar only rose to an exclusive circle in mid-December: The ice hockey striker was the third professional in the more than 100-year history of the professional league after Gretzky and Gordie Howe to reach the 800-goal mark in the NHL.
“It’s the best company you can imagine,” said Ovechkin, only the third player to reach the milestone. And he did it with style. With a hat trick, the striker ticked off goals number 798, 799 and 800 in the 7: 3 at the Chicago Blackhawks, hats flew onto the ice in good tradition when Ovechkin made it 5: 2 in the final third (47th). “Owi, Owi, Owi,” echoed from the ranks.
Ovechkin had one thing ahead of the other two legends Gretzky and Howe, he managed the 800 goals in the jersey of just one club. The exceptional talent has been playing for the Caps since 2005, and in 2018 he won the Stanley Cup with the franchise alongside German goalie Philipp Grubauer.
