Lower-Body Issue Could Keep Alex Ovechkin Out of Capitals’ Preseason Games

Alex Ovechkin may miss the Washington Capitals’ preseason games due to a lower-body issue. The 41-year-old winger did not take part in Monday’s practice and is listed as day-to-day. Ovechkin, who is starting his 22nd season at the top level, has been working in camp with Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard, but coach Spencer Carbery did not confirm he will be ready for the warm-up games.

According to the NHL, Morgan Rielly returned to practice with the Maple Leafs’ main group on Monday after a virus kept him out of the opener against the Montreal Canadiens. He explained he feels good and is expected to be available for Toronto’s final preseason games on Wednesday, when the team will play a split-squad against the Ottawa Senators. Rielly skated on a defensive pair with Darren Raddysh, who signed an eight-year contract after the sign-and-trade with Tampa Bay.

At the Dallas Stars, Matt Duchene has still not started on-ice practices, but coach Glen Gulutzan said he is expected to skate this week; Duchene was limited to 57 games last season due to injuries. Also, Colin Blackwell will not take part in Dallas’ preseason meeting with the St. Louis Blues due to a lower-body issue, and Gulutzan expressed hope the absence will last only a few days.

After the matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Washington still has two preseason games left: at home against the Boston Bruins on Friday and then at Philadelphia on Saturday; Carbery said he will give a more precise assessment of Ovechkin’s activation after two days of practice. As reported by the NHL, decisions on player participation will depend on how practices develop and on each player’s day-to-day condition.