Capitals say Alex Ovechkin is day to day with a lower-body injury
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin reacts after he was named the first star after an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, April 12, 2026, in Washington. Credit: AP/Nick Wass
ARLINGTON, Va. — 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, Pennsylvania, on Monday night.
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.
