Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin reacts after he was named the first star after a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins last last season in Washington.Nick Wass/The Associated Press
Alex Ovechkin is day to day with a lower-body injury, less than two weeks before the Washington Capitals’ season opener.
The NHL’s career goal-scoring leader did not play in Washington’s preseason opener against Boston on Sunday, and a team spokesman said Monday he did not practice with the non-game group either. The Capitals face Philadelphia in Hershey, Pa. on Monday night.
Ovechkin stands by appearance in Putin-backed political campaign ad: ‘I’m Russian’
Their regular season starts Oct. 2 at Carolina.
The 41-year-old Ovechkin is back for his 22nd NHL season. He played all 82 games in 2025-26, scoring 32 goals with 32 assists.
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