Alex Ovechkin Shut Down: 10 Washington Capitals Who Need to Step Up in His Place

The Washington Capitals announced today that captain and leading point scorer, Alex Ovechkin, will be out seven to 10 days, with a "nagging injury," according to NHL.com and the Capitals. Details of Ovechkin's injury were not disclosed.

In 73 games, Ovechkin has 29 goals and 48 assists for a combined 77 points. He is also a plus-22 on the season, thus far.

If Ovechkin is out seven to 10 days, he will miss three to five games. He will be sorely missed for those games, especially considering other Capitals injuries.

If the Caps hope to win the Southeast Division again, they will need other players to step up in their captain's absence.

Here are 10 players that especially should step up.

10. Matt Bradley

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 18: Matt Bradley #10 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 18, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Capitals shut out the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Matt Bradley is a great defensive forward: he makes the hits. He is also beloved by teammates for defending his teammates or sparking offense for a fight.

Plus, he is beloved by teammates and fans alike for providing comedic relief.

Now, Bradley needs to step up in other ways in the captain's absence.

9. Jason Chimera

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UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 26: Jason Chimera #25 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on February 26, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. The Capitals defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Im

Jason Chimera has 22 points this year—eight goals and 14 assists.

Chimera is known for his speedy skating and fiery temper, not that those two are related.

Chimera needs to get fired up and increase his numbers in the remaining games for the Washington Capitals.

8. Matt Hendricks

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 06: Matt Hendricks #26 of the Washington Capitals handles the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Verizon Center on February 6, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Matt Hendricks has 22 points this year, eight of those goals and 15 assists.

Hendricks has become known for trying to spark the team by engaging in fights.

He needs to channel that anger into scoring goals and getting helpers.

7. Marco Sturm

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 18: Marco Sturm #18 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 18, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Capitals shut out the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Capitals added veteran Marco Sturm off of waivers last month.

Now, they need him to step up and provide some offense in Ovechkin's absence.

Sturm has only 11 points this year, with four goals and seven assists. Increasing those numbers would be really beneficial for the Capitals.

6. Dennis Wideman

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 01: Dennis Wideman #6 of the Washington Capitals brings the puck around the net against Jack Hillen #38 of the New York Islanders at the Verizon Center on March 1, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Dennis Wideman is a defenseman, who can score as well. He's the defenseman equivalent of Alex Ovechkin, who is a forward, who hits as well.

Wideman was brought in to the help the Caps advance further into the playoffs than they have in previous years.

They need his help earlier than that. Wideman has 39 points so far this season and could easily rack up some more.

5. Marcus Johansson

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UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 26: Marcus Johansson #90 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on February 26, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. The Capitals defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty

Marcus Johansson has 24 points this season, which is less than was probably expected of him.

He has 11 goals and 13 assists. He can make up for a slow season by generating some quick offense in Ovie's absence.

4. Brooks Laich

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 13:Washington Capitals' Eric Fehr #16 and Matt Hendricks #26 (C) celebrate after Brooks Laich #21 (R) scored a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in the third periord at the Verizon Center on March 13, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Pho

Brooks Laich is probably one of the most underestimated or lesser known players on the Washington Capitals.

He is overshadowed by teammates Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom.

However, he generates almost as much offense as those guys, behind them with 40 points.

Expect Laich to step up in Ovechkin's absence.

3. Eric Fehr

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 13: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks moves the puck in front of Eric Fehr #16 of the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on March 13, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Eric Fehr is another lesser known but very talented member of the Washington Capitals.

He has battled injuries this year, most notably a shoulder injury.

His production has suffered from the missed time. He has 20 points, 10 goals and 10 assists.

He could add to that now.

2. Nicklas Backstrom

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 14: (L-R) Nicklas Backstrom #19 and Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals on the bench during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on February 14, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the C

Nicklas Backstrom has been battling a thumb injury recently; however it seems like it isn't affecting him anymore, so he needs to step up in his linemate's absence.

He is second on the team in points with 55, but that's a significant decrease from last season.

Backstrom needs to start earning his large and long-term paycheck by stepping up in Ovechkin's absence.

1. Alexander Semin

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 13: Alexander Semin # 28 of the Washington Capitals and Jake Dowell #28 of the Chicago Blackhawks collide at the Verizon Center on March 13, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Alexander Semin is often referred to as "The Other Alex." Like Ovechkin, he's Russian and named Alex.

However, Semin is known to be inconsistent. He has missed significant time in his career due to injuries and his point production has suffered.

Last year, he hit a career-high 40 goals.

This year, Semin has been good as well, but only has 25 goals to this point and a total 48 points.

Now is the time to prove that he's not "The Other Alex," but instead "Another Alex."