The Capitals’ captain and NHL all-time leading goal scorer will miss the final two Caps preseason games against Boston and Philadelphia, as reported by Tom Gulitti at NHL.com. However, the decision seems more precautionary as the 41-year-old is recovering from an undisclosed lower-body injury sustained earlier in training camp. “I expect him to be ready,” said coach Spencer Carbery on Friday, ” We would need a setback for him not to be ready for our opening game of the season in Carolina.”

Ovechkin had not skated for three straight days after the initial injury, but returned briefly to practice on Wednesday and was a full participant in practice on Thursday. He was also on the ice for the morning skate prior to Friday night’s game against the Bruins, so all signs are pointing to this being more of a play-it-safe situation than anything else. The Capitals will open the season on Friday, Oct. 2, in Raleigh, hoping to have their new-look top-nine forward group healthy and ready to go.

Additional Notes:

• Earlier Friday, Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan provided a couple of injury updates ahead of their final preseason matchup against Columbus on Saturday, as reported by Ansar Khan of MLive. Dylan Larkin, who has missed all three preseason games already, is making progress recovering from an upper-body injury but still won’t be ready for the preseason finale. Additionally, defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. His status for Saturday’s game has not been confirmed.
• Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff provided a positive update on Owen Zellweger, who sustained a concussion during Buffalo’s preseason game versus Columbus on Tuesday night. Lindy said “Zellweger has a great skate today and feels good.” He added that in all likelihood, he should be ready for next week, as reported by WGR’s Paul Hamilton. The 2021 second-round pick was acquired from Anaheim back in June for Anton Wahlberg and a 2026 second. Zellweger notched 22 points in 76 games for the Ducks last season.
• Penguins forward Justin Brazeau is still being evaluated for a lower-body injury and did not take part in practice Friday, per the team. The injury was sustained in the Pens’ Monday night preseason matchup against the Sabres. The 28-year-old bottom-six winger is coming off a career year for Pittsburgh, where he tallied 17 goals and 34 points in 64 games. The Penguins open the regular season Sept. 30 in Philadelphia.