Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, celebrates his goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Gene J. Puskar/The Associated Press
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will miss seven to 10 days of action with an undisclosed ailment, the team said on Monday.
"He just needs to take some time off to get completely healed," Caps' general manager George McPhee said in a statement.
The Capitals would not identify the ailment.
"He's been bothered by this nagging ailment for a couple of months," Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said. "We thought this was a good time to rest his body for a week to two weeks so he's fresh come April (and the playoffs)."
The Capitals, second in the Eastern Conference, are all but assured of a playoff berth with three weeks remaining in the regular season.
Ovechkin ranks sixth in the league in scoring with 77 points (29 goals, 48 assists).
The left wing leads the Capitals in goals, assists, points and is tied for the lead with six power play goals.