Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is sidelined for four to six weeks due to a fractured left fibula, halting his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record. Currently at 868 goals, Ovechkin was on pace for a career-high 68 goals this season.

His absence significantly impacts the Capitals, who lead the NHL in scoring. Teammates express concern over the emotional void left by Ovechkin's injury, as they rallied around his historic chase. The leadership group must now maintain team morale and performance during this challenging period.