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Ovechkin isn’t 100 percent, expects to play for Russia in 2014 WHC final

Dallas Stars v Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 01: during an NHL game at Verizon Center on April 1, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Dallas Stars won, 5-0. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Patrick Smith

Alex Ovechkin admitted to reporters that he doesn’t feel totally healthy, yet it looks like he’ll still play for Russia against Finland in the gold medal game of the 2014 World Hockey Championship on Sunday, as CSNWashington.com reports.

“I had a new knee brace and felt much better,” Ovechkin told reporters in Minsk, Belarus. “I can’t say I’m 100 percent fit but the situation is that one must be ready for anything. We have one game left and we must do everything to make sure we win.”

Ovechkin, 28, gave Washington Capitals fans a big scare when he suffered a knee injury earlier in this tournament, but it seems like the bullet has been dodged ... for the most part. Maybe.

His numbers indicate that he’s been feeling well enough. As of Saturday, he has 10 points in eight games with a (gasp) +6 rating.

The Capitals would almost certainly prefer that Ovechkin played it safe, yet this is a chance for at least some redemption for Ovechkin and Russia in international hockey competition after the deep disappointments from Sochi.

Here are highlights of Russia beating Sweden 3-1 in the semifinals:

While their upcoming opponents Finland blanked the Czech Republic 3-0 in the other semifinal match:

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins