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Ovechkin (lower body) to miss first game of the season tonight

Washington Capitals v New York Islanders

UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 29: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals looks on against the New York Islanders on December 29, 2014 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeat the Capitals 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHLI via Getty Images

Earlier today, Brough passed along news that “banged up” Washington captain Alex Ovechkin was questionable for tonight’s tilt against Minnesota.

Well, now you can rule him out officially.

The Caps have just announced that Ovechkin will miss his first game of the season with a lower-body ailment (per Caps PR). He’s also listed as day-to-day, meaning he might also be unavailable for Saturday’s game against Buffalo.

Ovechkin, who leads the NHL in goals (43) and points (67), has been remarkably durable this season... though that goes across the board for Washington. The Caps have had tremendous luck in the health department this season and currently boast nine players -- Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson, Marcus Johansson, Troy Brouwer, Joel Ward, Matt Niskanen, Karl Alzner and Brooks Orpik -- that have appeared in all 65 games this season.

That number, of course, will drop to eight after tonight.