Alex Ovechkin Suffers Left Fibula Fracture, Out 4-6 Weeks

WASHINGTON, THUR NOV 21ST: The Washington Capitals have confirmed that team captain Alex Ovechkin will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks due to a fracture in his left fibula. Ovechkin sustained the injury during Monday night’s game against the Utah Hockey Club where he collided with forward Jack McBain. Initially listed as week-to-week, further evaluations by team doctors confirmed the severity of the fracture. Ovechkin was officially placed on the injured reserve list today.

This marks what will likely be the longest injury-related absence of Ovechkin’s storied NHL career. Known for his remarkable durability, the 39 year-old forward has missed very few games due to injury since his debut in 2005.

Ovechkin’s Strong Start to the Season

The injury comes at an unfortunate time for OV, who has been off to a red-hot start this season. Through 18 games, Ovechkin has already scored 15 goals, continuing to make progress toward breaking Wayne Gretzky‘s all-time scoring record of 894. Ovechkin, who currently sits at 868, is just 27 goals away from surpassing “The Great One” and setting an NHL benchmark.

Capitals Thriving in Metropolitan Division

Despite the setback for their captain, the Capitals have had a stellar start to the 2024-25 season. With a 13-4-1 record, Washington currently sits second in the Metropolitan Division. The team is riding a three game win streak and aims to extend it tonight as they take on the Colorado Avalanche at Capital One Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 PM EST.

The Capitals depth will be tested in Ovechkin’s absence. Head coach Spencer Carbery will likely lean on forwards Evgeny Kuznetsov, Tom Wilson, and Dylan Strome to fill the offensive void while maintaining the team's momentum in the standings. 

Looking Ahead 

Ovechkin’s timeline for return suggests he could be back in the lineup sometime in late December or early January, depending on how his recovery progresses. While his absence is a blow for Washington, Ovechkin has proven time and again that he can bounce back from adversity.