Ovechkin pulled from game and coach Laviolette’s explanation is a stunner

What the heck?!

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 2 years ago
Ovechkin pulled from game and coach Laviolette’s explanation is a stunner
Twitter

During last night’s Washington Capitals’ 1-0 shootout win over the New York Islanders, captain Alex Ovechkin did not take a shift late in the third period or in overtime. 

This got fans and pundits worried seeing that Ovechkin has so many goals in overtime and this game was quite important looking ahead to the postseason. 

After the game, media members asked Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette what happened and if Ovi was injured.

His answer was quite the stunner, and did not end up reassuring fans at all: 

“I don’t even know what’s wrong,” a cagey Laviolette said postgame. “I know he wasn’t available during that time.”


Several team insiders, like The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir, believe Laviolette answered as such to remain “tightlipped” about injuries.

His absence his overtime, after a very short last shift of 23 seconds, was pointed out quickly seeing that Ovechkin has scored the most goals in overtime in NHL history  (24).

Ovechkin missed some practices this season and dealt with undisclosed injuries. There is no sign at the moment that he is expected to be out of the lineup for Saturday’s game against the same Islanders. 

The Capitals have an optional skate on Friday : Ovi could be absent and choose to rest. 

The captain leads the Capitals with 24 goals in 43 games. He’s gone scoreless in his last two games. The Caps need him healthy for the postseason. 

Source: Twitter