Laviolette didn't have a specific timetable for how long Ovechkin would be away from the Capitals but said he doesn't expect the forward to return this week.
"Listen, it's tough sometimes," Laviolette said. "Life is tough. When it comes to your family and parents, that's what matters. He's going to deal with some things right now and we're going to be supportive.
"I don't see him back in the foreseeable future."
Being out for the week means Ovechkin likely will miss at least three games. Washington lost 3-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on Tuesday and will face the Florida Panthers on Thursday before traveling to Raleigh, North Carolina, for the 2023 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series against the Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN360, TVAS2).
"I think first of all the most important thing is family, right?" Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom said. "I understand what Ovi's going through, but I think for us as a team we're all aware of the situation and we're in a tough stretch here coming up here, so teams are winning so we have to do that, too. We've got to chip in for each other and make sure we really start playing as a team here."
Ovechkin leads Washington with 32 goals in 54 games this season and, with 812 in his career, is second to Wayne Gretzky (894) for most in NHL history. Ovechkin, the Capitals captain, met with his teammates prior to their morning skate at their practice facility Tuesday before leaving.
"He came and talked to the boys," forward T.J. Oshie said. "Definitely, it's nice to get to see him and give him a hug and let him know that we're here for him in person rather than over text. We're thinking about him and we're missing him and wishing him all the best, for sure."
Laviolette would not say if Ovechkin plans to fly home to Russia.
"I think we're just keeping everything internal with regard to what's going on," Laviolette said. "It's a personal matter. But he was here this morning."
With Ovechkin away from the team,
Joe Snively
was recalled from Hershey of the American Hockey League and had a goal and an assist Tuesday. The forward has three points (one goal, two assists) in seven games for the Capitals this season.
Anthony Mantha replaced Ovechkin in the lineup Tuesday after missing a 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Sunday with a non-COVID illness.
Washington (28-22-6) holds the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Capitals are one point ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who hold the second wild card, and two points ahead of the New York Islanders and Florida Panthers.
Washington is 23-23-3 in the 49 regular-season games Ovechkin has missed during his 18 NHL seasons.
"It's different when you lose really any player for injury as opposed to a family matter," Oshie said, "and especially the big man, who's created a lot of success not only for the organization but for individuals in the room, me being definitely one of them. You play a little bit harder in moments like this."
