NHL News: Alex Ovechkin injured in Caps preseason finale; Leafs and Sens allowed full capacity; and more scores
Anthony Scultore
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The Capitals may be without their captain and top goal scorer Alex Ovechkin to start the season. In an exhibition contest last night against the Flyers he left the game with a lower-body injury.
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NHL News: Capitals Ovechkin injured
What seemed like a routine hit by Ovechkin on Travis Konecny midway through the first period had the Caps’ captain limping off the ice.
“Any time a player leaves the ice you’re concerned,” head coach Peter Laviolette said. “They’re going to re-evaluate him tomorrow and assess him for practice the next day. I think that’s where it’s at right now.”
Ovechkin, 36, collected 42 points (team-leading 24 goals, 18 assists) in 45 games in 2020-21. He resides one goal shy of tying Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne for fifth place all-time in NHL history.
Ovi is the Capitals franchise leader in games played (1,197), goals (730) and points (1,320) since being selected by Washington with the top overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft. He was named the Conn Smythe Trophy recipient during the Capitals’ run to the Stanley Cup title in 2018.
Leafs and Sens allowed full capacity
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators will be allowed full capacity for home games this season.
“Throughout the process of re-opening our venues to fans, which included working closely with the Province over many months, health and safety has been our shared top priority and we are overjoyed to see this day arrive when we are able to welcome a full venue to cheer on the Maple Leafs and Raptors,” Michael Friisdahl, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, said in a statement.
via Sportsnet
Currently, only the Canucks will not be playing at full capacity in Canada.
Preseason scores
Catch up on all the latest action:
- Capitals 5 vs Flyers 3 (Cam Atkinson scores twice in loss)
- Blues 7 vs Blue Jackets 4 (James Neal scores 4th of preseason on PTO)
- Flames 3 vs Jets 1 (Gaudreau with 2 assists)