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NHL star Ovechkin set to join Russia at ice hockey worlds

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PRAGUE (AP) The Washington Capitals say forward Alex Ovechkin should arrive in Prague in time to help Russia play the United States in the semifinals of the ice hockey world championship on Saturday.

The Capitals said on Thursday that Ovechkin, the NHL's leading goal-scorer, was travelling on the same day.

They were knocked out of the NHL playoffs late Wednesday by the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

In his 10 previous worlds, Ovechkin helped Russia to three titles, including last year in Minsk, Belarus.

Russia was defeated by the U.S. and Finland in the group stage, and Ovechkin could make a difference.

He scored 53 goals in the NHL regular season, and five more in the playoffs.