Alex Ovechkin Leaves Ice Minutes After Start Of Capitals Informal Skate

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin left Monday's informal skate session just minutes after it started.

Ovechkin had just finished stretching and warming up and was taking part in the team's first drill of the session when suddenly, he pulled up and winced in apparent discomfort.

After that, he stopped and made his way to the bench, getting a pat on the back before heading to the locker room.

He did not return to the informal skate session, but is scheduled to speak on media day on Thursday, indicating that he will be among the player skating, so it appears this could have been more precautionary.

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Veterans have off-ice testing and physicals on Wednesday.

Ovechkin turns 39 on Tuesday and is entering his 20th NHL season. He returned to the U.S. earlier in the month after spending the offseason training in Russia.

Related: Crosby Praises Ovechkin, Rooting For Capitals Captain To Pass Gretzky: 'It's Incredible... We've Gotten The Best Out Of Each Other'

The Capitals star sits at 853 career goals and is 42 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record.

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