ARLINGTON, Va. — Alex Ovechkin will be away from the Washington Capitals to attend to a family matter and the health of a loved one, the team said Tuesday.
General manager Brian MacLellan announced Ovechkin’s absence before the team’s morning skate. No further details were released, and it’s unclear how long Ovechkin will be gone.
It could be several days if he needs to fly to Russia, where his parents and other family members live. Travel restrictions in place amid Russia’s war in Ukraine have stopped all direct flights between North America and Moscow.
The Capitals play two home games this week before facing the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL’s Stadium Series outdoors in Raleigh on Saturday night.
Ovechkin, 37, leads Washington with 32 goals and 54 assists. With Ovechkin out, the team recalled winger Joe Snively from Hershey of the American Hockey League.