Capitals Star Ovechkin Skips Practice as Team Rides a Busy Schedule
The Washington Capitals recently noted that their star winger Alexander Ovechkin did not participate in the latest practice, a detail captured by reporters on social platforms. The absence was not isolated; fellow veteran forwards TJ Oshie and defenseman John Carlson also sat out, with team sources explaining that the trio was granted a scheduled rest period after a demanding stretch of games.
Looking ahead, Washington is scheduled to host the Boston Bruins on March 31 as part of the NHL regular season slate. The upcoming game is one of several crucial matchups that will shape the Capitals’ postseason ambitions as the calendar moves toward spring.
In a recent setback, Washington fell 5-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 29. Ovechkin, who has long been a central offensive figure for the Capitals, faced limited scoring impact in that game. Earlier in the week, on March 27, he paused a five-game goal streak that had featured eight goals and three multi-goal performances, illustrating the ebb and flow common to elite scorers over a grueling schedule.
Across the season, Ovechkin has played in 69 regular-season contests, tallying 26 goals and 32 assists. The Capitals sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings, keeping them within reach of the playoffs and underscoring how every contest matters as the race tightens toward the end of the campaign.
Meanwhile, prospect chatter surrounding goaltender and forward Ilya Fedotov has heated up. After a stint away from Washington, the young player briefly flirted with the idea of returning to Russia, prompting discussions about his future directions in professional hockey and how such moves might influence the Capitals’ development plans and depth in net and up front. The evolving considerations around Fedotov reflect broader questions about player development, international opportunities, and the strategic choices teams face when balancing veteran leadership with the push from rising talents.