Capitals' Ovechkin skates before practice

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Alex Ovechkin says his knee injury isn't as bad as he thought.

The two-time reigning league MVP skated briefly at the Washington Capitals' practice facility Tuesday morning, a day after he was hurt in a knee-to-knee hit against Carolina.

Ovechkin said his knee is a little sore, but he didn't rule out playing when the Capitals host Florida on Thursday. Coach Bruce Boudreau says his star player is day-to-day with a sore knee.

Even if Ovechkin is healthy, he might miss a game or two. He drew a 5-minute major penalty for kneeing and a game misconduct for the knee-to-knee hit, the second time in less than a week he's has been ejected.