Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin has been listed week-to-week, a downgrade from day-to-day, after sustaining an upper-body strain when he collided with Columbus Blue Jackets’ Raffi Torres on Sunday.Ovechkin is expected to miss the fifth game of his five-year career, the third due to injury, on Wednesday at New Jersey.
“Russian machine never breaks," often quips Ovechkin.
Well the machine is momentarily out of order, but will travel with the team this week to continue to receive medical treatment.
Some argue that the game will be less exciting without the Great Eight, however, not to discount his astounding achievements, Ovechkin’s unfortunate injury provides a lucky break for teammates to showcase their talents, e.g., as Mike Knuble singlehandedly killing a penalty on Sunday, and not be overshadowed by the face of the franchise.
With Ovechkin’s absence, some key points to consider:
- How well does Alexander Semin play without the other Alex?
- How dramatically will shots on goal increase to compensate for Ovechkin, who led the team with 528 shots on goal last season, 54 percent more than the player with the second most, Mike Green?
- How many line combinations can head coach Bruce Boudreau craft that are as powerful and compatible as Ovechkin-Brendan Morrison-Mike Knuble that does not comprise Ovechkin?
Photo courtesy of © Kelly J. Stoner
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