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Caps Nation collectively gasped during the second period of the Capitals-Penguins game Wednesday night when Captain Alex Ovechkin collapsed to the ice after taking an awkward hit from the Penguins Kris Letang.
Ovechkin would stay on the ice for a few seconds, obviously in pain. He would then gather himself, head off the ice and directly to the locker room. Kris Letang was assessed a tripping penalty on the play.
Ovechkin would make his way back to the ice just minutes later, and even scored a goal in the third period of the Caps 7-1 blowout of the Penguins.
Following the game, Ovechkin was asked about his injury.
Ovechkin said he “fell on something” and “hit the nerves” and felt numb briefly, so he wanted to get it looked at. Said he feels OK.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 17, 2016
Ovi seems fine after falling on arm. Had some postgame treatment. Said he hit some nerves, felt numb. “I came back,” he said. #CapsPens
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) November 17, 2016
Following the game, head coach Barry Trotz was asked about the Ovechkin injury.
Trotz said Ovechkin is a little sore “somewhere on his body.” Think he’s OK.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 17, 2016
Now that I think about, think Ovechkin was describing hitting your funny bone.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 17, 2016
More about Ovechkin’s status should be known on Friday. The Capitals have the day off on Thursday and are next scheduled to practice Friday morning before their game against the Detroit Red Wings Friday night at Verizon Center.
The night before in Columbus, Ovechkin totaled 14:12 of ice-time. On Wednesday night against the Penguins, Ovechkin played 18:38 (even after missing a power play due to injury). Ovechkin recorded 4 hits, 3 shots on goal and a goal.
By Jon Sorensen
