Caps forward in Russia, will miss tonight’s game
Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin will not play in tonight’s home game against Nashville because of an illness in his family.
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Ovechkin has flown home to Russia, according to a team spokesman, to be with his ailing grandfather. His status for Saturday’s game at Buffalo is unknown. That will end a streak of 203 consecutive games played for last year’s NHL MVP.
Ovechkin has struggled to score early this season with just two goals and three assists in eight games. Other players have filled the void for Washington (4-3-1), however, including left wing Alexander Semin (seven goals). The Caps rank sixth in the NHL with 3.5 goals per game. Nashville (4-4) is one spot ahead at 3.63.
“A lot of teams miss their star player,” Caps coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters after Monday’s practice. “But there’s opportunities for other guys to get more minutes that Alex usually eats up and show us what they can do.”
