NHL playoffs: Capitals say Ovechkin played with foot injury

Alex Ovechkin finished the season on a hot streak only to meet with playoff disappointment.

Alex Brandon/AP

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Alex Ovechkin played the last two games of the Washington Capitals' season with what the team said Thursday is a hairline fracture in his left foot.

Ovechkin was hurt during Game 6 of Washington's first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers, a 1-0 loss on Sunday. The Capitals didn't explain specifically how their captain got injured, but Ovechkin did get up a bit gingerly after dropping to the ice to block a shot in the first period.

He also played in Game 7 on Monday night, getting credited with 13 hits but only one shot, as Washington lost 5-0 at home and was eliminated.

Ovechkin, who led the NHL with 32 goals during the regular season, scored only once against the Rangers, in Game 1.

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He played Thursday for Russia in an 8-3 loss to the United States in the world championships in Finland.

Before leaving town for that tournament, Ovechkin met with reporters Tuesday at the Capitals' practice facility and was asked whether he was dealing with any injuries during the playoffs.

"Couple bruises, but nothing major," he said.