The Capitals captain was leading the NHL in goals at the time of his injury.

WASHINGTON — Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will miss the next few weeks as he recovers from a fractured left fibula, the team announced on Thursday.

The injury is not season-ending, but it will hold him out for roughly 4-6 weeks.

The 39-year-old was hurt in Monday's win over Utah Hockey Club when he collided with Jack McBain in the defensive zone early in the third period. He went down in visible pain and needed help getting off the ice, and wasn't putting much weight on his left leg.

Though he tried to skate afterward, he couldn't do much and did not return to play.

Ovechkin has been placed on the injured reserve for the time being, with Ivan Miroshnichenko coming up from the AHL's Hershey Bears to help fill the vacant roster spot.

It's tough news for Ovechkin and the Capitals, as he was off to one of the best starts of his career and leading the league with 15 goals through 18 games at the time of the injury. He is 27 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record.

Now, the Capitals will have to fill the void without him, and it'll take a "collective effort" from the group.

"I think it comes from everybody. You can't just show up and someone's going to take his role. I think it's by collection. Everyone needs to help out in that regard," John Carlson said. "I think we've got a pretty good foundation and base in here that with him being out, what he thinks everybody is on the same page with. It's not like he's not around us."

Washington begins its campaign without Ovechkin on Thursday at home against the Colorado Avalanche.