Washington Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette was a guest on 106.7 The Fan Wednesday morning where he provided the latest on the status of Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin was injured in the third period of Sunday night’s game against the Maple Leafs, and did not play in Tuesday night’s game against the Islanders.
“He’s day-to-day right now. For me, I certainly hope that it’s nothing that’s long term. We’re gonna do the right things,” said Laviolette.
“Right now, for me it doesn’t make sense to go back into the lineup. He’ll go in today and again, more treatment and further evaluation. But with the end of the season coming up here, I don’t think we want him back until he’s 100 percent,” added Laviolette.
“I’m certainly hoping that for game 1 he’s ready and available. But again, when you’re listed as ‘day to day’ there are just certain things that we don’t know ourselves as to when that might be.”
Laviolette did agree that the end of the regular season and the playoffs have different parameters for an injured players availability.
”You don’t play somebody in game 81 or 82 because the playoffs are coming. You wanna make sure that they’re ready for that game. He has something that happened to him and right now we’re treating it. We’re hopeful that he’s ready for game 1.”
The coach was asked if Ovechkin would have played if the playoffs began yesterday.
“No, he wouldn’t have.”
However, with the playoffs beginning next week, the coach remains hopeful that Ovechkin will be back.
”I’m hopeful. That’s the thing about it, too. You ask me these questions and I’ll say, ‘oh yeah he’ll be there for game 1, no problem’. And then if he’s not there. Or if I say ‘no he’s out on game one for sure’, and then he’s there in game 1, ah well coach, he’s full of it’”, said Laviolette.
“I think ‘day to day’ is the right terminology for it. I don’t believe it’s long term, so I think ‘day to day’ is the right terminology. Alex is in there getting treatment and trying to put himself in a position where he can come back and help us.”
The Capitals are off today and will travel to Long Island in advance of their rematch with the Islanders on Thursday night. The Capitals complete their regular season schedule on Friday in New York City against the Rangers.
By Jon Sorensen
He will play in game one. He may not be 100%, but he will play.
Lavi indirectly stating that Ovechkin is not 100%.
I can think of some other players that Laviolette should be resting right now — Backy and Osh head the list.
First, I feel both could use the rest before the playoff grind.
Second, if they do go out (as Ovi just did) subs will have to come in. I’d rather those subs get playing time now to help them get ready. They have been held out of getting that time in Hershey as they continue to sit in the Caps’ pressbox or on the bench as Laviolette goes full AARP. Does this really help the team prepare for the postseason?
You have no desire to try and take 3rd in the division (face Rangers in round one rather than Panthers)?
Not really.
You hear swimmers and runners talk about pace, how they have to avoid early burnout. I feel that is also true in multigame sports especially when the games are close together. I would be coddling our precious jewels more in the run up and trying to prepare subs in case they are needed.
That to me is more important than first round opponent.
I would definitely prefer Rangers over Panthers.
Ovi would be playing if he could. These games are huge.
He’s gonna play game 1, no matter what. At what percent, we will never know. 60%? 90%? 95? We will never know.
At least our final two games are on the road so good chance to win. OV won’t play until Monday (or Tuesday) in game 1. Oshie looks good (and healthy) now and has missed half of the season so I don’t think he needs to rest. Backstrom though does.
Osh has had a rough year. Only played in 40 some games. I’d rest him too.
I get that, but you know my perspective. I want the Rangers instead of the Panthers.