BALLSTON, Va. - Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is "fine" after an on-ice collision with teammate Mike Knuble during Thursday's practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex and will join the team on its upcoming road trip, according to head coach Dale Hunter.
"Just two big guys colliding at full speed," Hunter said.
Ovechkin and Knuble ran into each other at center ice during a drill after what both teammates and Hunter said was some sort of miscommunication regarding what side of the ice Ovechkin and Knuble were supposed to be on. Knuble was fine, but Ovechkin stayed face down on the ice for a few minutes before making his way to the bench and eventually the locker room. He was not made available to reporters.
Hunter said that Ovechkin's head was not impacted and that it was a simple case of Ovechkin having the wind knocked out of him. Hunter also expects Ovechkin to play Friday against the Winnipeg Jets.