Story Summary
The Washington Capitals will sit Alex Ovechkin for their final two pre-season games as a precaution while he recovers from a lower-body injury, but coach Spencer Carbery said he expects the 41-year-old and NHL all-time leading goal-scorer to be ready for the club’s regular-season opener at the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 2. Ovechkin missed three straight days of skating at one point during the camp but returned to a full practice on Thursday and took part in the morning skate on Friday; nonetheless Washington decided not to play him in exhibition games against the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers.
Key Facts
- Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, is being held out of the Capitals’ final two pre-season games with a lower-body injury.
- Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said: ” I expect him to be ready. We would need a setback for him not to be ready for our opening game of the season in Carolina. We would need something to change. But I expect him to be ready.”
- Ovechkin did not skate for three straight days before returning to practice briefly on Wednesday, went through a full practice on Thursday and participated in the morning skate on Friday.
- Washington elected not to play Ovechkin in its exhibition game at home against the Boston Bruins or its pre-season finale at the Philadelphia Flyers.
- Carbery described the decision as being ” just going to be cautious with it.”
- Ovechkin, 41, is beginning his 22nd NHL season.
- At the start of last season Ovechkin also dealt with a lower-body issue and missed the Capitals’ first four pre-season games; he then played all 82 regular-season games and led Washington with 32 goals, increasing his NHL record total to 929.
- The Capitals’ regular-season opener at the Carolina Hurricanes is scheduled for Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. ET.
IHM Discussion
Washington’s approach is conservative: Ovechkin is being held out of the final exhibition games to prioritise his availability for the regular-season opener. Carbery said only a setback or change in Ovechkin’s condition would prevent him from being ready for Carolina.
Ovechkin missed three straight days of skating before a brief practice return on Wednesday, a full practice on Thursday and Friday’s morning skate. Washington nevertheless opted against playing him against Boston or Philadelphia.
The situation resembles last season, when Ovechkin missed the first four pre-season games with a lower-body injury before playing all 82 regular-season games and leading Washington with 32 goals. The Capitals are again favouring caution in exhibition play over rushing him back into game action.
Why It Matters
Ovechkin’s availability matters significantly to Washington at the start of the regular season. Sitting out pre-season games limits his live-game preparation, but the Capitals have made clear that having him fully healthy for meaningful games is the priority.
For a 41-year-old beginning his 22nd NHL season, avoiding a rushed return is a sensible balance. The club is accepting fewer exhibition minutes in favour of giving Ovechkin additional time to reach full fitness before the opener.
Mini Q&A
Why is Alex Ovechkin sitting out the final pre-season games?
Ovechkin is being held out as a precaution while he recovers from a lower-body injury; the Capitals want to be cautious and prioritise his health for the regular-season opener.
Did Ovechkin practise during the week before the decision to rest him?
Yes. He did not skate for three straight days at one point, then returned to practice briefly on Wednesday, practised fully on Thursday and took part in the morning skate on Friday.
What did coach Spencer Carbery say about Ovechkin’s availability?
Carbery said, ” I expect him to be ready. We would need a setback for him not to be ready for our opening game of the season in Carolina. We would need something to change. But I expect him to be ready.”
When is the Capitals’ regular-season opener?
The Capitals open the regular season at the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. ET.
Coach Mark Comment
From a coaching perspective, there is little value in forcing a veteran into exhibition action when he is still working back from a lower-body injury. The practice progression is encouraging, but the sensible target is full readiness for the regular-season opener rather than a rushed pre-season appearance.
What Comes Next
The Capitals’ next definitive checkpoint is the regular-season opener at the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 2, which Spencer Carbery referenced as the target for Ovechkin’s readiness.
IHM Final View
Washington’s cautious handling of Alex Ovechkin is a pragmatic choice. With Carbery expecting him to be available for Oct. 2, the Capitals are prioritising the forward’s readiness for the regular season over pre-season minutes.