Capitals' <a href='https://www.markerzone.com/hockey/stats/nhl/player/Alexander-Ovechkin-1516' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Alex Ovechkin</a> suffered an injury in last night's game <a href='https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/uta-vs-wsh/2024/11/18/2024020292' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>against the Utah Hockey Club</a> and a doctor has now revealed how long he could be out of the lineup. The hotter-than-hot Alex Ovechkin could be in for some surprise time off after a big on-ice hit. <a href='https://www.nhl.com/capitals/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>The Washington Capitals</a> star forward has been back to his old self this season, notching 15 goals and 25 points in just 18 games, the best in the league. With a few more weeks left in the current season, he's just 26 goals from passing Gretzky's all-time goal record, and the anticipation of Ovechkin's historic chase is at an all-time high. Many are projecting he could pass Gretzky by the end of the 2024-25 season. But a knee-on-knee hit from Utah Hockey Club's Jack McBain in the Capitals' win on Tuesday night may push that timeline back. This wasn't the first time Ovechkin suffered an injury this season, as <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/washington-capitals/alex-ovechkin-leaves-the-ice-during-capitals-informal-practice-after-injury' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>he did suffer a minor issue during the preseason</a>. The hit last night, which looked severe, <a href='https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/washington-capitals-alexander-ovechkin-leaves-game-vs-utah-hockey-club-with-lower-body-injury-1.2207084' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>had fans and teammates concerned as Ovechkin left the ice</a>. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/BradyTrett/status/1858727930966462505'> </a></blockquote></div> Following the game, head coach Spencer Carbery had no updates but said for certain that the captain would undergo further medical evaluation to determine the extent of the injury. Dr. Harjas Grewal, frequent contributor to commentary on NHL injuries, felt that the most dire possibility could be an MCL sprain, which would require 4-6 weeks of recuperation, a rather optimistic outlook given the nature of the incident. If the injury indeed is less serious, the Capitals will feel fortunate. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Harjas_Grewal/status/1858730344490692852'> </a></blockquote></div> Immediately afterward, Capitals enforcer Tom Wilson took matters into his hands and stood up for his teammate, making it clear the team wouldn't tolerate any foul play against the captain. <a href='https://x.com/spittinchiclets/status/1858733115818254725' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Tom Wilson takes matters into his own hands. Watch here.</a> While Ovechkin's pursuit of the record has captivated the hockey world, his quick recovery is a unanimous hope across the league. If he can get back to form sooner rather than later, history will still be well within reach.