Alex Ovechkin did not join his Capitals teammates on the ice for Tuesday’s practice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.
Per RMNB’s Katie Adler, the 39-year-old Caps captain took a maintenance day ahead of the team’s potential series-clinching Game 5 against the Montreal Canadiens at Capital One Arena. Ovechkin has four points (3g, 1a) in the series’ four games headed into Wednesday night’s contest.
Head coach Spencer Carbery relayed that there was no concern for Ovechkin’s Game 5 availability after the skate was over. “No, just a maintenance day,” he said.
Ovechkin played 19:55 of ice time in Game 4, the most time on ice he’s seen in a single game since April 4 against the Chicago Blackhawks when he was attempting to notch a hat trick to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. He recorded five shots on goal and received a two-minute minor penalty for interference.
After his line struggled mightily at five-on-five in Game 3, they bounced back to deliver a dominant performance Sunday night. With Ovechkin on the ice, the Capitals saw positive differentials in shot attempts (+12), scoring chances (+7), and high-danger chances (+3). They also scored two goals and did not allow one.
Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, and Anthony Beauvillier have combined for 16 points (6g, 10a) through four games against the Canadiens.
Puck drop for Game 5 is set for 7:00 pm inside Capital One Arena.
