UPDATE! Ovechkin (lower-body) will play Saturday

Saturday 7:05 p.m EST – Ovechkin (lower-body) will play tonight on a line with Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson.

Saturday 12:18 p.m EST – Ovechkin said that he is feeling much better today after participating in the optional morning skate. He declared himself ready to go tonight, but that it would be up to coach Adam Oates. Coach Oates said Ovi and Mikhail Grabovski will both be game-time decisions. Puck-drop is at 7 p.m EST, so monitor his status for pre-game warmups at 6:30 p.m EST.

Friday 12:15 p.m EST – Ovechkin will miss his second straight game tonight when the Capitals take on the Devils in New Jersey.

Thursday 10:35 a.m EST – Ovechkin is not on the ice for Capitals’ practice this morning. Washington is not in action again until Friday, so monitor his status during Friday’s morning skate.

Tuesday 6:30 p.m EST – Ovechkin had been listed as a game-time decision, but he will miss his third game this season. Monitor his status prior to Friday’s game in New Jersey.

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Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will be a game-time decision with a lower-body injury.

There is no word on when Ovechkin suffered the injury, but it is not believed to be serious. Ovechkin’s absence would be killer to the Capitals offence. Washington has lost five consecutive games while being outscored 17-7. Of their seven goals scored over that span, Ovechkin has three of them.

Ovechkin continues to pace the NHL with 35 goals (in 47 games), the next closest is Corey Perry and Joe Pavelski with 27.

If Ovi can’t go, the top-line will be Marcus Johansson – Nicklas Backstrom – Troy Brouwer (here are the rest of the CAPS LINES) while Braden Holtby will get the start in goal.

We likely won’t know Ovechkin’s status until pre-game warmups start at 6:30 pm EST however if something is reported before we will alert you on the site and on Twitter (@DailyFaceoff)