NHL scoring leader Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals has an "upper body strain" and his status has changed from day-to-day to week-to-week, the team announced Monday.
A release from the team said Ovechkin suffered the injury in Sunday's loss to Columbus, playing less than eight minutes. He initially was ruled out of Wednesday's game at New Jersey but had an MRI on Monday.
The two-time defending MVP will travel with the Capitals to continue his treatment. Ovechkin has league highs of 14 goals and 23 points.
Led by Ovechkin, the Capitals rank second in the NHL in scoring and seventh in shots. They rank in the bottom third of the league in several defensive categories.
Ovechkin's presence has had bookmakers set the total at 6.0 for all of Washington's games this season, above the standard 5.5 that accompanies most matches. The Capitals are 7-6-1 against the over.
Washington has four skaters with at least 13 points, including Alexander Semin, who recently returned from an injury.