Ovechkin Hurt in Loss to Columbus

The Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets played an overtime thriller on Sunday afternoon, with the Jackets picking up the 5-4 win thanks to R.J. Umberger's game-winner (and second goal of the game) at the 1:45 mark of the extra frame.

Perhaps the biggest concern for Capitals fans isn't the outcome on the scoreboard, but the status of the league's leading scorer and back-to-back MVP winner, Alex Ovechkin, who left the game after playing just 7:43.

From the Capitals Web site:

A few minutes before leaving, Ovechkin was involved in an altercation in front of the Blue Jackets' bench. During a break in play barely a minute into the second period, Ovechkin was bumped by Columbus left wing Jason Chimera and Ovechkin responded with a shove and players from both teams skated over to the scrum. Ovechkin, Chimera and Blue Jacket right wing Jared Boll all received minors for roughing, and Boll was also issued a misconduct.

As if the league didn't have enough star players injured through the first month of the season.

The team announced, via Twitter, that Ovechkin is day-to-day with an upper body injury, and that because of an off day on Monday, there won't be an update on his status until Tuesday. He's currently leading the league in most offensive categories, including goals (14), points (23), and shots on goal (85).

The third period saw the two teams combine for five goals, including a pair from Raffi Torres, who tied the game for Columbus with just 16 seconds to play in regulation. Rick Nash opened the scoring for the Blue Jackets early in the second period with this goal that probably won't be showing up on the highlight reel for Washington's defense this season:



Washington has now lost back-to-back games at home following a six-game winning streak, but has still managed to gain at least a point in the standings in nine straight games. The Capitals haven't lost in regulation since their 3-2 loss in Detroit all the way back on October 10.