After 1st-round loss in NHL playoffs, Ovechkin to join Russia at hockey world championships

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30), from Sweden, greets Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), from Russia, after Game 7 first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey series, Monday, May 13, 2013 in Washington. The Rangers won 5-0. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (The Associated Press)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), from Russia, shakes hands with New York Rangers right wing Arron Asham (45) after a Game 7 first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey series, Monday, May 13, 2013, in Washington. The Rangers won 5-0. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (The Associated Press)

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will join Russia's team at the ice hockey world championships in Finland.

It will be Ovechkin's ninth appearance in the tournament. He helped Russia win the gold medal last year and in 2008. He has 26 goals and 18 assists in 55 games.

The news that he'll play for Russia comes Tuesday, a day after Ovechkin's Capitals were eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs with a 5-0 loss to the New York Rangers in Game 7 of their best-of-seven series.

After leading the league with 32 goals in the regular season, Ovechkin only scored once in the playoffs.