Alex Ovechkin is one of four Washington Capitals players on the NHL list of players who were not available to play or train on Wednesday under the League’s COVID-19 protocols.
Joining the 35-year-old left wing on the list was Capitals pivot Evgeni Kuznetsov, defender Dmitry Orlov and goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov.
The NHL fined Capitals $ 100,000 on Wednesday for violations by players in the League’s COVID 19 protocols, which involved social interactions between team members who were in close contact and who did not wear facial covers.
“I regret my choice to spend time with my teammates in our hotel room and away from the locker rooms,” said the captain of Capitals. “I will learn from that experience.”
In a statement, Capitals revealed that the incident involved players interacting in their hotel room during the journey of four season opening games.
“Our training team has worked hard to create a safe environment for our players and team to be able to compete this season,” said the Capitals statement. “We are disappointed in our players’ choice to interact in their hotel rooms and outside of the team’s approved areas. We accept the NHL decision and will once again reiterate the COVID-19 protocols in place to ensure that players are in full compliance in the future . “
Washington (2-0-2) played their first four games this season away from home, last Thursday and Friday at Buffalo Sabers, and Sunday and Tuesday at Pittsburgh Penguins.
The capitals had a day off scheduled for Wednesday and are scheduled for training Thursday. Washington remains scheduled to open a six-game homestand on Friday against Buffalo.
Ovechkin has five points (one goal, four assists) in four games this season. The striker scored 707 goals in the NHL, one behind Mike Gartner, seventh in history.
Kuznetsov and Orlov played four games. Samsonov and goalkeeper Vitek Vanecek have alternating starts.
Also on Wednesday, the NHL announced that Carolina Hurricanes had all games postponed until at least Saturday, after five players were placed on the COVID-19 protocol list on Tuesday.
The NHL does not provide precise reasons for absences related to the COVID protocol or information on how long a player can be away.
The reasons for an absence related to the COVID protocol may include: 1. An initial positive test that remains unconfirmed until the confirmation test is completed according to the positive test protocol; 2. Mandatory isolation for symptomatic individuals according to the positive test protocol; 3. Quarantine required as a close contact of high risk according to the positive test protocol; 4. Isolation based on a confirmed positive test result; and 5. Quarantine for travel or other reasons, as described in the COVID-19 protocol.