Ovechkin talks to media

Ovi talks to media about the injury and possible suspension.

Capitals Insider:

"Alex Ovechkin is day-to-day with a sore knee. He skated briefly on his own before practice today."

Alex Ovechkin spoke (very softly) to the media at Kettler Capitals Iceplex after skating for about five minutes this morning. He said his right knee is "not that sore" from his hit on the Hurricanes' Tim Gleason last night, and that he would "probably" hear from league disciplinarian Colin Campbell at some point today.

Of a possible suspension for the knee-on-knee collision, Ovechkin said, "If it happens, it happens. I can't do nothing about it."

Corey Masisak:

Officially, Ovechkin is "day-to-day" with a right knee injury. He just addressed the media and didn't have much to say about the injury itself, other than he saw the doctor before he went on the ice and it isn't as bad as he had first feared.

Ovechkin would not say if he had an MRI or not, and wouldn't discuss a timeline for returning to action. Ovechkin said he hopes he isn't suspended, and he isn't going to change the way he plays. He also said because Tim Gleason wasn't hurt that might work in his favor.

Corey Masisak:

Bruce Boudreau just addressed the media and didn't offer anything more on the severity of the injury or the medical examination Alex Ovechkin underwent this morning.

Boudreau didn't rule out Ovechkin for Thursday's game, but said the team would know more after tomorrow's practice. What he did say about his franchise player's style of play was a little surprising.

"He's pretty reckless," Boudreau said. "It is hard telling a guy who scores 60 goals a year to change the way he plays. At the same time, you don't want to see him getting hurt. Maybe he needs to pick his spots a little bit better."

Boudreau said he hasn't talked to Ovechkin about it ... yet. "Not as his coach, but someone who admires him I just don't want him to put himself in harm's way," Boudreau said. "We'll see. I don't think anything being said will change the way he plays, but who knows."

I don't know why it is surprising to say that Ovechkin is reckless, everybody knows it anyway.

Ted Leonsis:

Alex loves the game and respects his teammates and his opponents. He plays the game with abandon and he plays the game with a deep sense of intensity. He is an honest player. He is also a two time NHL MVP. It was painful to watch that play happen last night on all accounts.

No one in our league wishes bad circumstances or bad health on any player. This is a big brotherhood. It is a shame that there has been what seems like an inordinate amount of injuries this year in our league. This is a fast paced game played by big men in a contained area played with ferocity.

It pains me when I see any player in the NHL suffer an injury. We are in this together.

I know what you all know about Alex and his health right now. When a player suffers an injury, he is iced immediately to try to contain the swelling. Alex will be checked out by our doctors today. We will all know more about his health within the next 24 to 48 hours.

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