Capitals’ Ovechkin joining Russia for world championship clash with U.S.

The Washington Capitals say forward Alex Ovechkin should arrive in Prague in time to help Russia play the United States in the semi-finals of the hockey world championship on Saturday.

The Capitals said on Thursday that Ovechkin, the NHL's leading goal scorer, was travelling on the same day.

They were knocked out of the NHL playoffs late Wednesday by the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

In his 10 previous worlds, Ovechkin helped Russia to three titles, including last year in Minsk.

Russia was defeated by the United States and Finland in the group stage, and Ovechkin could make a difference.

He scored 53 goals in the NHL regular season and five more in the playoffs.