Ovechkin feeling 'a lot' better

Alex Ovechkin didn't take the morning skate and will miss his first game of the season tonight in New Jersey. But two-time MVP had some encouraging news for Coach Bruce Boudreau when the two spoke at Prudential Center earlier.

"He said he's feeling better today, a lot better today," Boudreau said. "I was excited about that. I don't know how much better 'a lot better' is. But he's telling me he felt a lot better today. That's a positive sign. I think he's getting bored not practicing."

Ovechkin suffered what's believed to be a strained left shoulder in Sunday's overtime loss to Columbus. He's officially listed as week to week with an upper-body injury.

Although Ovechkin did not practice, he's traveling with the team so that he can receive treatment from Greg Smith, the team's head athletic trainer. Ovechkin was not wearing a brace and did not appear to be in pain as he performed stretches that appeared to be aimed at limbering up his left shoulder or upper left arm.

Asked if there are any concerns that Ovechkin may try to rush himself back into the lineup considering his high threshold for pain and history of playing through injuries, Boudreau said the team will protect the winger from himself -- if it comes to that.

"We've got a pretty good medical staff here," Boudreau said. "We want to guard against that. At the same time, there's nothing coaches and managers love more than a player who wants to get back sooner than his injury has supposedly called for. But we will make sure when he steps on the ice that there's no chance of him hurting the same injury."

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Comments

very encouraging!

Posted by: zyvo23 | November 4, 2009 12:39 PM | Report abuse

Ovie, The Beast from the East.

Posted by: ridgely1 | November 4, 2009 12:46 PM | Report abuse

He'll come back angry.

Posted by: saintex | November 4, 2009 12:52 PM | Report abuse

Even if there is no comparison. I really hope someone "targets" Nash and the Blue Jackets.

Posted by: ERHDC1 | November 4, 2009 12:55 PM | Report abuse

OH NO Ovie's feeling better!! OH NO nothing to complain about!! OH NO he's going to rush back and be lost for ever...OH NOOOOOOOOO....

Posted by: ChickenLittleCapsFan | November 4, 2009 12:55 PM | Report abuse

Encouraging but I would like to see the team take its sweet time about bringing him back. If the team can figure some things without Ovie then it gives them some (much needed) confidence. This team lacks an MO (as in modus operandi) and needs one in the worst way.

Posted by: ccape1 | November 4, 2009 12:57 PM | Report abuse

Okay, first off, very good to hear Ovie is feeling better. I wanna see him get 50 in 50!

Now, let's get the instigator rule straight:

From http://www.nhl.com/rules/rule56.html -

"...(a) A major penalty shall be imposed on any player who fights. A player who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation shall be assessed an instigating minor pen-alty, a major for fighting and a ten minute misconduct..."

A player does not get booted from the game for picking a fight. He simply goes to the box for 17 minutes. As I pointed out several posts back, what's the big deal if your designated tough guy is banished to the sin bin when he's likely logging 10 minutes or less of ice time a game anyway? Shuffle the lines and deal with it.

Posted by: MetalCapsFan | November 4, 2009 1:16 PM | Report abuse

sorry Don -> Canadian kids cannot break Russian machine. Like it or lump it OV will come back pissed.

Posted by: cadlecreek1 | November 4, 2009 1:17 PM | Report abuse

Great news. I'd prefer Ovie not to play against Fl. The Panthers are horrible. No need to rush him back against a terrible team. The rest of the team "should" be able to pickup the slack.

Posted by: cbs75 | November 4, 2009 1:25 PM | Report abuse

Agree with cbs75! If we can't beat FL without Ovie, we have serious problems. Get better Ovie! You have the whole rest of the season and the olympics!

Posted by: capscoach | November 4, 2009 1:37 PM | Report abuse

Russian machine never breaks...

Posted by: DrCapsFan11 | November 4, 2009 1:38 PM | Report abuse

Great news about Ovie....any chance he can play tonight ( just kidding)

If anyone ever had any question if Nylander would get even a sniff of the ice this year, this should answer that question.

We dont need to get mad, we will get even.....like DC says...we need to lay low for now and get em when they don't expect it....

Lets Go Caps!!!!!

Posted by: Capsfannmiss | November 4, 2009 2:37 PM | Report abuse