Caps head coach reveals Alex Ovechkin's status ahead of Game 1 in Florida
When Alex Ovechkin went down with an upper-body injury during an April 24th meeting with the Leafs and did not return, Caps fans were fearing the worst. While the Washington Capitals were likely just playing it safe with their captain, not wanting to rush him back for the final few games of the season, the more time that passed without him playing, the more concern grew over whether he'd be ready to go in time for Game 1 against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. This is the play during which Ovechkin suffered the injury:
On Tuesday morning, Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette brought calm to the chaos when he announced that Ovechkin will indeed be in the lineup for the Caps for Game 1 of their series with the Panthers.
The 9-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner is undoubtedly Washington's biggest X-factor in this series. With the one area of perceived weakness in Florida being in net, then the Caps will likely rely on setting Ovi up in his office, near the top of the circle for his patented one-timer. Ovechkin will need to be at his best in order for the Caps to have any shot of beating the 2021-22 Presidents Trophy winners in a 7-game series.
POLL |
MAI 3 | 349 ANSWERS Caps head coach reveals Alex Ovechkin's status ahead of Game 1 in Florida Will the Capitals upset the Panthers in round one? |
Yes | 153 | 43.8 % |
Not a chance | 196 | 56.2 % |
List of polls |
|
12 hours ago | By Dean Chaudhry Ex-Leafs Enforcer Turned Podcaster Shares Strong Opinion on Auston Matthews Situation |
|
17 hours ago | By Mike Armenti Ex-NHLer Accuses Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs of Being Dishonest with the Public |
|
Dec 24 | By Dean Chaudhry Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews Believed to Have Reached an Understanding Surrounding His Health |
|
Dec 24 | By Mike Armenti Spittin' Chiclets Co-Host Has a Special Message for Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews |
|
Dec 24 | By Ryan Smitheram Maple Leafs' Update on Chris Tanev Not Enough to Satiate Fans |
|
Dec 24 | By Ryan Smitheram Insider Reveals Power Struggle Between Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs |
|
Dec 24 | By Dean Chaudhry Legendary Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen Shares Special Moment with His Son on Live Telecast |
|
Dec 24 | By Nick Matthews TSN Analyst Preps Maple Leafs Fans on Potential Recovery Plan for Auston Matthews |
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily