The Washington Capitals will be at a disadvantage as they’ve ruled Alex Ovechkin out for Tuesday’s game against the New York Rangers. Both Ovechkin and Sonny Milano were ruled out of the key Metropolitan Division game early Tuesday evening. News came via the Capitals official Twitter account.
INJURY UPDATE: #Caps captain Alex Ovechkin (lower body) and forward Sonny Milano (illness) will not play tonight versus New York.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 14, 2023
Sonny Milano & Alex Ovechkin Out for Capitals
The veteran goalscorer is out with a lower-body injury after sitting out Monday’s practice. Team officials originally labeled the winger missing practice as a maintenance day. Ovechkin dealt with a lower-body injury and missed one game in late January. However, it’s unsure if it’s the same injury that made him miss time that month. Milano was ruled out due to a non-COVID related illness.
Ovechkin has only played for the Capitals during his 18-year NHL career. The future Hall of Famer has scored 816 career goals for 1,472 points in 1,336 games. Washington’s star sniper was taken first overall of the 2004 NHL Draft. Ovechkin has 36 goals and 62 points in 62 games this season.
Milano has played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Anaheim Ducks and the Capitals in his eight-year NHL career. The Massapequa, NY native has 46 career goals and 110 points in 251 career games. Columbus took Milano in the first round, 16th overall of the 2014 NHL Draft. The 26-year-old has 10 goals and 29 points in 54 games this season. He just recently signed a contract extension.
Impact of Alex Ovechkin Being Out
Joe Snively and Aliaksei Protas were called up from AHL Hershey to take their places in the lineup. Losing both players for a key divisional game is a big blow. The Capitals have some playoff pulse left, but need all the points they can get.
Washington is five points off the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. It’s not impossible to catch the pack, but they’ll have to get going. Ovechkin and Milano are both having solid years and both are going to be missed.
Main photo by: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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