Alex Ovechkin sustained a lower-body injury during the
Washington Capitals' final preseason game Friday and won't return to the contest, the team
announced.
The Capitals star appeared to be in pain after awkwardly hitting
Philadelphia Flyers forward
Travis Konecny midway through the first period. Ovechkin was slow to get up but limped down the tunnel on his own while appearing to favor his left leg.
He didn't return for the remainder of the period, and Washington officially ruled him out at the intermission.
Ovechkin signed a five-year, $47.5-million extension with the Capitals this offseason. The 36-year-old was one of the first three players named to the Russian Olympic Committee's team Friday.
Washington's season officially begins on Wednesday against the New York Rangers.