Washington Capitals have received the devastating news that star forward Alex Ovechkin might miss 4 to 6 weeks because of suffering a broken fibula. The injury came in Tuesday night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers as he collided awkwardly with a member of the other team and fell heavily to the ice in visible agony. A determination was made through further evaluation to confirm that he indeed suffered the broken fibula; he is set to start his rehabilitation program immediately.
This sets the Capitals back in a tightly contested playoff race. Ovechkin has been a sure thing and one of the best goal-scorers in NHL history offense and leadership need him at the top of his game.
The injury occurred late in the second period when Ovechkin chased a loose puck down the boards. As he tried to maneuver past a Flyers defenseman, his skate became tangled, causing an awkward twist that led him to fall heavily onto his leg. Ovechkin immediately signaled for help and was assisted off the ice by teammates and medical staff.
Ovechkin is a glaring hole left out from the Capitals’ lineup as he’s already an offense force with consistency this season with 38 points leading the team and being one of the league’s top scorers. Also, no other player can match his ability to score from almost anywhere on the ice, especially from his trademark power-play position.
While Ovechkin will be there, others, like Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie, will have to fill in on offense; the young gun Connor McMichael may also see more of his playing time during this period.
But Ovechkin being a leader and an on-ice inspiration is a great value to his team. His absence might trouble the team’s morale, particularly when the season is reaching its final stages in the league.
A fractured fibula has conventionally been associated with weeks of rest and rehabilitation. However optimistic Ovechkin’s 4-6 week recovery was, the club would necessarily exercise caution to prevent setbacks. It was said the Capitals medical staff would look into the most advanced treatment options to accelerate recovery.
The news of Ovechkin’s injury has sent shockwaves around the NHL. Fans and players have taken to social media to wish him well. Even rival players, such as the Flyers’ captain Sean Couturier, had kind words for Ovechkin, noting the respect he commands across the league.
But without Alex Ovechkin, this is going to be a particularly difficult stretch; yet the team should be optimistic regarding his eventual return. Washington looks to rally and stay competitive with or without him, but hockey fans everywhere will certainly wait in anticipation of his return of the greatest NHL history has ever produced. For now, though, the Capitals’ mettle will be tested as they push their way through the season without their captain and leading scorer.
