Washington Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Washington Capitals, NHL or NHLPA
Ovechkin misses practice ahead of series-clinching Game 5
Photo credit: Sportsnet
The 39-year-old Capitals captain was given a maintenance day before the team's potential series-clinching Game 5 against the Montreal Canadiens at Capital One Arena.
Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin misses practice ahead of Game 5 on Wednesday
Ovechkin has 4 points (3 goals and an 1 assist) in the series' four games headed into Wednesday night's pivotal contest.
Chris Cerullo from RMNB writes that head coach Spencer Carbery assured reporters there was no absolutely no concern about Ovechkin's availability for Game 5, stating after Tuesday's practice, «no, just a maintenance day.»
"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." -Cerullo
Ovechkin logged 19:55 of ice time in Game 4 and registered five shots on goal and was assessed a two-minute minor for interference.
Alex Ovechkin did not skate at practice today, Carbery confirms that it was a maintenance day and he will be good to go for game five.
The Capitals top line of Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, and Anthony Beauvillier have totaled 16 points (6 goals, 10 assists) over the first four games of the series against the Canadiens.
Game 5 is set for Wednesday night at 7:00pm inside Captal One Arena. Washington holds a confident 3-1 series lead over the Canadiens.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 29 | 48 ANSWERS Ovechkin misses practice ahead of series-clinching Game 5 Will Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin play in Game 5? | ||
| yes | 45 | 93.8 % |
| no | 3 | 6.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
