Capitals' Alex Ovechkin has lower-body injury, listed as day-to-day

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin missed Thursday's game against the Minnesota Wild due to a lower-body injury, spanning his 96-game playing streak. Ovechkin is listed as day-to-day.

Alex Ovechkin’s 96-game playing streak has come to an end. 

The Washington Capitals captain missed Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Wild due to a lower-body injury. The team didn't say when or how Ovechkin became injured, according to the Washington Times, but the decision to scratch him didn't come until game time.  

The last game that Ovechkin missed was on Jan. 24, 2014, according to Mike Vogel of the team's official website.

There is no timetable for when Ovechkin will return, but forward Andre Burakovsky was called up from the AHL's Hershey Bears for Thursday's game. 

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Ovechkin entered Thursday leading the NHL in goals (43) and tied with teammate NicklasBackstrom​ for first in points with 67. Before Thursday's action, the Capitals were fourth in the Metropolitan Division but in position for a wild-card playoff spot with 80 points. 

The Wild went on to defeat the Capitals 2-1.

-- Anna Gallegos