Canadiens Vs. Capitals: Alex Ovechkin Skates Before Practice, Listed As 'Day-To-Day'

BALLSTON, Va. - Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin skated for about 15 minutes before practice, but did not practice with his teammates Wednesday at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. According to head coach Dale Hunter, Ovechkin is "day-to-day" and his status is uncertain for Friday's game against the Montreal Canadiens.

"He's day-to-day right now," Hunter said. "He tried it and he's going to rest today again. We'll see what he's like tomorrow."

Ovechkin, sporting a powder blue "no contact" jersey, lightly skated in small circles first before taking some laps around the empty rink. Ovechkin stepped off after only a few minutes before coming back on, but he apparently could not skate at full speed as he had to pull up during both of his attempts to do so.

Ovechkin's problems began during Monday's 5-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, where he left the game with an apparent "equipment issue." After taking a "maintenance day" Tuesday, Ovechkin skated for roughly eight minutes during Wednesday's morning skate. Hunter later confirmed that Ovechkin is suffering form a "lower-body" injury, one that kept him out fo Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

It is possible that Ovechkin suffered his lower-body injury after receiving a check from Carolina's Bryan Allen during the second period of Monday's game (h/t Russian Machine Never Breaks):