NEWARK, N.J.(AP) -- As expected, Washington Capitals star Alex
Ovechkin is out of the lineup because of an upper-body strain.

Ovechkin has been termed "week to week" by the Capitals, but the
two-time NHL MVP was not ruled out beyond Wednesday night's game
against the New Jersey Devils.

Ovechkin traveled with the team and could potentially play at
Florida on Friday or at home in a rematch with the Panthers on
Saturday.

The NHL's second-leading scorer was hurt Sunday during an
overtime loss to Columbus. Ovechkin had a league-best 14 goals,
and 23 points while playing in Washington's first 14 games this
season.

"He said he's feeling better today, a lot better today,"
Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said Wednesday morning. "I was
excited about that. I don't know how much better a lot better
is, but he's telling me he felt a lot better. That's a positive
sign. I think he's getting bored not practicing."