2 min read • April 25, 2022
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Capitals' forward Alexander Ovechkin left Sunday's game after suffering what the team called an upper-body injury.
The 36-year-old Washington D.C. lifer appeared to injure his left shoulder when he slid into the boards after a missed breakaway shot on goal. He wasn't available for the media postgame, but his teammate TJ Oshie said he believes “he'll be alright.”
Based on video, Ovechkin likely suffered an A.C. joint sprain in his left shoulder, an injury that, depending on severity, generally takes two weeks to rehab, said Dr. David Chao, an orthopedic surgeon and former NFL head team physician.
The NHL playoffs begin on May 2 and Ovechkin will likely need to undergo pre-game cortisone injections to avoid missing any playoff games.
The three-time Hart Trophy winner was visibly frustrated he had to leave the contest, flexing his left shoulder while skating off the ice in the third period.
The Capitals have already clinched a playoff spot but are currently the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference with 100 points and only three games left on the schedule.
Ovechkin jumped Jaromir Jagr to become the third-leading goal scorer in NHL history on March 15. Coming into tonight, he had 90 points on the season, his most since 2009-10, on 50 goals and 40 assists.
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