Alexander Ovechkin misses practice on Wednesday ahead of Game 5

The Washington Capitals are out of margin for error, plain and simple. There's no way around it, and they'll need their star players to step up to stand a chance in getting back in their series against the Hurricanes.

Tom Gulitti reported the concerning news earlier today on social media.

The 39-year-old Capitals captain was given a maintenance day before his team faces elimination in Game 5 at home against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Sammi Silber also reported that Taylor Raddysh served as Ovechkin's replacement on Washington's top power-play unit at practice this morning.

Ovechkin has recorded 6 points (5 goals and 1 assist) in 9 playoff games this postseason.

Following a 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 on Monday, the Capitals now trail 3-1 in their second-round playoff series. If they can't pull out a win in Game 5 on Thursday, it would mark their sixth playoff series loss in seven attempts since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018.

It all begins with Game 5 on Thursday, scheduled for a 7:00pm in Washington, as the Capitals will try to hold off elimination and keep their season alive.