In a promising sign for Washington Capitals fans, superstar winger Alex Ovechkin took to the ice Monday for a light solo skate as he continues to recover from a broken left leg suffered last month. The 39-year-old Russian donned a tracksuit and helmet, stick in hand, for his first twirl on the ice since a collision with Utah’s Jack McBain on November 18 left him with a fractured fibula.
Though not yet cleared for full practice, Ovechkin’s return to the ice marks a significant step in his rehab process. The Capitals captain, who scored 15 goals in his first 18 games this season, was initially ruled out for four to six weeks with the injury. Sources close to the team indicate that timeline remains on track, putting Ovi in line for a potential return in late December or early January.
Capitals Thriving Despite Ovechkin Absence
Remarkably, the Capitals have rattled off four straight victories since losing their offensive catalyst, surging to the top of the NHL’s Eastern Conference standings roughly a quarter of the way through the season. Coach Spencer Carbery’s squad has showcased impressive depth and resilience in Ovechkin’s absence.
Unsung heroes like Sonny Milano, claimed off waivers from Anaheim in October, have stepped up to fill the scoring void. The 26-year-old winger has tallied five goals and eight points during the Caps’ current win streak, earning effusive praise from teammates and coaches alike for his tenacious two-way play.
“Sonny’s been unbelievable for us,” said alternate captain Nicklas Backstrom. “He’s bringing so much energy and skill every night. It’s contagious throughout the lineup.”
– Washington center Nicklas Backstrom
Equally crucial to the Capitals’ success has been the steady play of goaltender Darcy Kuemper. The 2022 Stanley Cup champion with Colorado has posted a sterling 2.20 goals-against average and .926 save percentage while starting nine of ten games in Ovechkin’s absence.
Chasing Gretzky
Despite the Capitals’ success without their captain, there’s no question the team eagerly awaits his healthy return. In addition to the offensive boost, Ovechkin’s looming chase of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record has the hockey world on the edge of its seat.
Sitting at 785 goals, Ovi needs just 11 more tallies to break Jagr’s European-born player goal scoring record and 26 to tie Gretzky for first on the career list. While the injury may slightly delay the inevitable, it seems a safe bet Ovechkin will be gunning for history in the season’s second half.
- Ovechkin currently trails Gretzky by 109 goals for 1st all-time
- He needs just 9 goals to become only the 2nd player to reach 800 in a career
- Ovi averaged 0.83 goals per game in 2023-24 prior to the injury
Road to Recovery
For now, the Capitals franchise and its fans will simply relish the baby steps in Ovechkin’s recovery process. Monday’s skate, though far from intensive, provided a glimmer of the light at the end of the tunnel.
Head coach Spencer Carbery is expected to provide a more detailed update on his star’s status and projected recovery timeline following the team’s practice. The Caps, who have upcoming home dates against Vegas and Minnesota this week, will look to extend their win streak to six games.
With a healthy Ovi inching closer to a return and role players raising their games, Washington has firmly established itself as a contender in the season’s early going. The rest of the Eastern Conference has been put on notice.
