Tuesday morning during practice, Ilya Samsonov left the ice after a high shot by Alex Ovechkin struck him in the mask. Dazed, Samsonov skated off the ice and did not return. Vitek Vanecek was recalled from Hershey immediately after the skate concluded.

Ovechkin was asked about the incident after practice and seemed confused about all the hubbub.

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“Uhhh, I would say accident” Ovechkin said when asked what happened. “I’m pretty sure he’s a big boy. He’s fine.”

The press stood silent after Ovechkin’s response.

“All right? Thannnnnk you,” Ovi said garnering awkward laughs from the media.

Later, the Russian machine was asked simply how he can play every night – a leading inquiry into his legendary durability.

“What do you mean?” Ovechkin responded back, confused as to what was special about being one of the most physical players in the NHL and only missing 17 out of a possible 1,167 career games due to injury.

“That’s why we practice all year,” Ovechkin said. “Practice in the summer to be in good shape.”

Headline photo courtesy of @Capitals