RUSSIANS SAY OVECHKIN ENDED SEASON INJURED

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin finished the NHL playoffs playing through a lowerbody injury that required painnumbing injections. The Russian Hockey Federation announced the injury Thursday, saying Ovechkin would not be able to play in the world championships in Europe because of it. It was not immediately clear when Ovechkin was injured or how severely. He did not miss a game but briefly left late in the first period of Game 5 of the first round after clutching his knee after a hit from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Nazem

Kadri, returning for the start of the second period. Washington coach Barry Trotz moved Ovechkin to the third line midway through the second round against the Pittsburgh Penguins, slightly reducing his ice time. After the Capitals were eliminated in Game 7 on Wednesday, Trotz said he wasn’t “emotionally” ready to talk about Ovechkin.