Boudreau, Capitals prepare to play without Ovechkin
By: Brian McNally
Examiner Staff Writer
November 4, 2009
Washington faces off against New Jersey
For just the fifth time since 2005, the Capitals will take to the ice without forward Alex Ovechkin. Tuesday morning during a practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, his teammates took the first step towards learning to play without their star left wing.
Ovechkin is listed as "week-to-week" with an upper-body strain suffered during Sunday's 5-4 overtime loss to Columbus. Team officials don't know for sure how long he will be out of the lineup. So Washington's players may have to deal with that uncertainty for some time. Are they up to that challenge?
"We're not a one-man show," said Caps defenseman Brian Pothier. "[Ovechkin] brings something to the team that nobody else can bring -- nobody in the league can bring. Obviously, he'll be missed. But every team goes through hard stretches where they have key components of their team out. It's just an opportunity for guys to perform."
Ovechkin spoke with reporters for the first time since his injury was diagnosed on Monday. He mentioned trying to play this weekend during a home-and-home series with the Florida Panthers. But that seems unlikely. Washington coach Bruce Boudreau noted Ovechkin must show his injury is healed by passing a battery of medical tests and then practice at least once.
"You've got to play," said Caps forward Mike Knuble. "We've seen it before where a team loses a star player and they go out feeling sorry for themselves. We've got all the excuses in the world now. It's a pretty convenient excuse. I don't expect many of us to be using it."
Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals (14), points (23) and shots (86). Teammate Alex Semin will be expected to pick up some of the slack. The gifted forward has seven goals and eight assists in 12 games. But if Ovechkin is out longer than expected, the Caps will need consistent effort from Semin night after night.
"I welcome that because it means I'm going to get tested and probably more ice time," Semin said through goalie coach Arturs Irbe. "I would love to see Alex keep playing. It's unfortunate. But I will run with the situation that's presented."
