Capitals Recall Miroshnichenko & Place Ovechkin On IR, Milano Heads To LTIR

The Capitals will be without their captain for a bit as he deals with a lower leg injury.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals made a number of roster moves on Wednesday, placing captain Alex Ovechkin on injured reserve and recalling Ivan Miroshnichenko from the AHL's Hershey Bears.

Ovechkin is week-to-week with a lower leg injury he suffered in a collision with Jack McBain in Monday's win over Utah Hockey Club. His injury is not season-ending, per head coach Spencer Carbery, but it will hold him out "for a little bit."

The 39-year-old going on the IR will mean that he's out for at least the next three games, but he's likely to be out longer with the week-to-week designation.

In addition, Sonny Milano will be placed on the long-term injured reserve as he recovers from an upper-body injury suffered in early November. It's unclear if there was a setback in his recovery, but he hasn't skated since the Nov. 6 game against the Nashville Predators.

Miroshnichenko has seven goals through 16 games with Hershey to open the season and is on pace for 32 goals. He is expected to help fill Ovechkin's void with his wicked shot and physicality, though it's unclear at this time where he'll slot in.