Ovechkin likely out this weekend

Alex Ovechkin said his injury -- it's obvious now that it's a strain near his left shoulder -- continues to improve by leaps and bounds. But it has not improved enough to allow him to play in this weekend's back-to-back series with the Panthers, he said, after returning to practice this afternoon in Sunrise, Fla. "It's still a little sore," Ovechkin said. "I feel a little bit better, but there is still a little bit pain. From last night to today, I feel much better. It's not disturb me." I've got to find my hotel now, but I'll have more on Ovechkin, the Caps' penalty woes and other items of interest on the blog later and in the paper tomorrow. (link)