Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was scratched prior to Thursday night's game against the Wild with an unspecified lower-body injury.
Washington missed its captain, who had his consecutive games streak snapped at 96. Ovechkin leads the NHL with 43 goals and is tied with linemate Nicklas Backstrom for the points lead with 67. The winger's case for the Hart Trophy as the league MVP was made even stronger as the Caps stumbled to a 2-1 loss.
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Capitals coach Barry Trotz was vague about Ovechkin's injury, saying before the game that Ovechkin was "banged up." Ovechkin's status for Saturday's game against Buffalo remains in doubt.
Trotz said Ovechkin told the Caps he couldn't go this afternoon. Still listed as day-to-day.
— Alex Prewitt (@alex_prewitt) March 6, 2015The Wild rallied for the victory with a pair of third-period goals by Jason Pominville.