Ovechkin missed after big hit

January 28, 2009|By HOWARD FENDRICH

ARLINGTON, Va. - Alex Ovechkin was given Wednesday off, an excused absence from practice that Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said had nothing to do with the "stinger" the league's reigning MVP got from a shoulder-first crash into the boards.

"He's fine," Boudreau said. "I wanted to give him today off to rest. He's probably a little stiff, I would think, but, I mean, he's fine. And I asked him how his shoulder was. He says he's OK, no problem."

During Tuesday night's 3-2 loss at Boston, Ovechkin - who leads the NHL with 31 goals - hit the boards with his head and right shoulder, then remained motionless on the ice for about 15 seconds before rolling over and rubbing his face with his glove. Although he left the ice a few minutes later, he was doubled over and flexing his right arm.

He sat on the bench for a few minutes before walking off through the tunnel and slamming his gloves and helmet to the ground. But he returned for the start of the third period.

Boudreau was asked if he held his breath when he saw Ovechkin go down.

"Forget the breath. I lost my mind," the coach said. "The more you see it on the replay, just to see how tough he is - he went in fast and hard. I was a little disappointed in the (Boston) Garden faithful, I mean, booing him when he was down. There wasn't a person in the stands that could have taken that kind of hit and got back up."

He has been wanting to give a bit of time off to Ovechkin, Washington's only participant in the NHL's All-Star weekend. When the Capitals regrouped Monday after the break, Ovechkin insisted on practicing with his teammates.

"I had to kick him off the ice. I said, 'Get off!'" Boudreau said.

Ovechkin made a brief appearance at Washington's practice facility Wednesday but ducked out without speaking to reporters. It's not clear whether he will participate today when the Capitals hold 3-on-3 scrimmages at an outdoor rink in Chevy Chase, Md.

"You don't want anybody to get injured like that, especially Ovie, because he's been an awesome player for this club," forward Sergei Fedorov said.

The Southeast Division-leading Capitals' next game is Saturday at home against the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings.

Washington will see the return of key defenseman Tom Poti, who missed the past 15 games with a groin injury.

"We'll be happy to have him back, that's for sure," Boudreau said. "He's a big part of our team. He logs 28 minutes a night."

To make room for Poti, the team sent rookie defenseman Karl Alzner back down to AHL affiliate Hershey on Wednesday.

"Tom Poti's ready to play," Boudreau said. "We just have to send (Alzner) back."

Associated Press

Boston defenseman Mark Stuart (45) knocks Washington's Alex Ovechkin (8) to the ice during the third period on Tuesday after the Capitals star returned from an earlier check that put him out of the game.

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