The chase for the NHL goals record will be paused for at least one night. Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin will not play in Saturday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Ovechkin has a lower-body injury and is day-to-day, according to the Capitals.
Ovechkin missed the morning skate in Vegas with a “maintenance day,” making him a game-time decision. He skated 17:54 through 21 shifts in Washington’s win Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes.
This is Ovechkin’s first game missed this season and the 28th of his illustrious 18-year career.
Anthony Mantha takes Ovechkin’s spot in the Capitals’ top line alongside Dylan Strom and Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Mantha had been a healthy scratch in four of the last six games.
Ovechkin leads the team with 30 goals and 52 points through 48 games. He is second on the NHL’s all-time goals list with 810.
