The injury bug has been following the Washington Capitals all season. Several players have been sidelined by numerous ailments, but for the first time this season, Alex Ovechkin has succumbed to injury. On Tuesday, the Caps will travel into hostile territory without their captain to face the Philadelphia Flyers with a share of first place in the Eastern Conference on the line.
Ovechkin, who has played in every game this season after missing 10 due to injury and suspension last year, is suffering from undisclosed injuries that have apparently been bothering him for a few months. While head coach Bruce Boudreau wouldn't divulge exactly what is wrong with Ovechkin, he did say that he will miss at least seven to 10 days. Ovechkin will join Jason Arnott, Mike Green and Eric Fehr, among others, who are resting injuries.
Washington is the hottest team in the NHL, with a 10-1-0 record in their last 11 games, including 13 of 16 overall. The Capitals are just two points behind the Flyers in the Eastern Conference standings, but Philadelphia has two games in hand. The Caps cannot overtake the Flyers for first place, but can grab a share of it with a win. The Flyers would hold the tiebreaker because they've played fewer games and would have more wins.