Alex Ovechkin Out 4-6 Weeks With Fractured Fibula, Halting Goal Record Pursuit

The Washington Capitals captain's injury delays his chase of Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goal record and impacts the team's strong start to the season.

Alex Ovechkin sustained a fractured left fibula during a collision in Monday's game against the Utah Hockey Club, sidelining him for 4-6 weeks.
Ovechkin's injury interrupts his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goal record, with the Capitals star currently at 868 goals, 27 shy of the 894-goal mark.
The Capitals have placed Ovechkin on injured reserve and adjusted their lineup, promoting players like Ivan Miroshnichenko and Hendrix Lapierre to fill gaps left by his absence.
Despite losing their captain and leading scorer, Washington remains in a strong position, sitting second in the Metropolitan Division with depth contributions from players like Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome.
Ovechkin's recovery timeline suggests he could return by late December or early January, leaving him with 43-51 games to continue his record chase this season, though extending it to next season remains a possibility.