The Washington Capitals announced on Tuesday that star player Alex Ovechkin has been classified as 'week to week' due to a lower leg injury sustained during a recent game in Utah. The team indicated that Ovechkin will undergo further evaluation by team physicians on Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

Ovechkin's injury occurred during the third period of the Capitals' 6-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club, when he collided with Jack McBain. Despite an attempt to skate off the discomfort, Ovechkin struggled to put weight on his left leg and subsequently left the ice to head to the locker room. Prior to this setback, Ovechkin had been in the midst of a scoring surge, recording five goals in the Capitals' last two contests, bringing his career total to 868 goals, just 26 shy of Wayne Gretzky's all-time record.

Renowned for his durability throughout his 19-year career, Ovechkin has consistently been the standout player for the Capitals. He completed the 2021-22 season with 50 goals and 40 assists, while following up with 42 goals and 33 assists during the 2022-23 campaign. However, last season he found himself behind Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews in the race for the Rocket Richard trophy, which he typically contends for. This season appears to have revitalized his goal-scoring prowess, as he leads the NHL with 15 goals over 18 games. With Ovechkin absent from the lineup, the team faces challenges in maintaining offensive production, especially with T.J. Oshie sidelined for the year due to a back injury. Nonetheless, Connor McMichael has stepped up, scoring 12 goals in 18 games, suggesting a breakout season for the fifth-year forward. The Capitals currently lead the Metropolitan Division with a record of 13-4-1, but with Ovechkin's expected absence, they will need to navigate the competition posed by the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, and New York Rangers to maintain their divisional lead.