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Ovechkin sits out practice, Caps call it a “maintenance day”

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 18: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals battles for position with Mike Weaver #43 of the Florida Panthers at the Verizon Center on October 18, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Via csnwashington.com comes news that Alex Ovechkin sat out practice today. The Capitals are calling it a “maintenance day.”

Ovechkin has just one goal and two assists in Washington’s first five games. If the Caps weren’t a perfect 5-0-0, it would be a problem. As of now it’s just a concern. Mostly for fantasy owners.

“My results is not that good,” he said Monday, a day before notching an assist in last night’s 3-0 win over Florida.

Ovechkin played a season-low 17:35 against the Panthers. Granted, that wasn’t a huge surprise considering the Caps were protecting a lead most of the night. And according to coach Bruce Boudreau, Ovechkin won’t be logging the big minutes like he’s done in the past.

“He’s not getting 22 minutes a game,” Boudreau said Monday. “Instead he’s getting 18 to 19 minutes a game because the team is more balanced than it’s been in the past. How many goals does that equate to? How many points does that equate to? But does it equate to more team success? Sometimes less is better.”

With five wins and no losses, it’s hard to argue with the coach on that one.