Alex Ovechkin Leaves Practice After Collision

Updated: 12:10 p.m.

When asked after practice about Alex Ovechkin’s status, coach Dale Hunter responded with “he’s good.” According to Hunter, the collision did not have any effect on Ovechkin’s head. It was just a big collision with two big players that knocked the wind out of one of them.

Ovechkin is scheduled to still make the weekend roadtrip with the Capitals as they continue in the hunt for the playoffs.

Original Post: 11:50 a.m.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin left the ice during this morning’s practice at the KCI, after an open-ice collision with teammate Mike Knuble.

Ovechkin and Knuble were taking part in drills when the two collided near center ice. Ovechkin laid on the ice for about two minutes, and then took a seat on the bench for another three minutes while holding his head. After the three minutes on the bench, he returned to the locker room.

Teammate Nicklas Backstrom spoke to the media after witnessing the collision and voiced his concern for his captain. Backstrom has missed 32 straight games after suffering a concussion on January 3 against the Calgary Flames. He has however skated three straight days without any symptoms.

“I can just speak from my situation and I’m worried, too. We’ll see what happens.” – Nicklas Backstrom

Ovechkin was not made available to speak to reporters after practice this morning. In his seven-year NHL career, Ovechkin has never missed time due to concussion symptoms.

The team must now decide if Ovechkin will make the three-game weekend roadtrip that begins tomorrow night in Winnipeg, followed by Chicago on Sunday, and Detroit on Monday. The team is scheduled to depart at 1 p.m. today for Winnipeg. Ovechkin would be a crucial player for the trip, not only because of his captaincy status but also because he leads the team with 29 goals and 53 points.