Alex Ovechkin's injury timeline announced: his chances of breaking Gretzky's record this year are ruined
Alex Ovechkin recently suffered a knee injury, and now the team has devastatingly revealed it is much worse than initially expected, with the Capitals captain expected to spend significant time on the sidelines.
All eyes on the Washington Capitals this season were fixed squarely on Alex Ovechkin, as the captain inches ever closer to Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goal-scoring record of 894.
Unfortunately, that chase was halted recently as Ovechkin collided with Utah's Jack McBain, suffering a knee injury that had not only Capitals fans, but all NHL fans worried about his future.
After initial suggestions that he could be back in a few weeks, the Capitals have now announced that the injury is worse than initially expected, as the team has revealed that he will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a fractured left fibula.
While that's not a long-term injury to deal with, and even at 39 years of age, Ovechkin should be able to recover and get back to 100% this season, it's a major blow to his chase for history, which many believed could end this season.
With 15 goals in 18 games and Washington sitting at 13-4-1 through 18 games, the belief around the league was that he would surpass the Great One with ease at some point this season.
That now may not be the case, with TSN's Chris Johnston noting that this will be the longest injury-related layoff in Ovechkin's career, which just goes to show how fortunate he has been over an incredible 20-year career that is still going strong.
Ultimately, it's believed that given his talent, there's no way Ovechkin won't get the 27 goals needed to become the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, but for those hoping it would happen in 2024/25, you may now have to wait a little longer.
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