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ARLINGTON, Va. — The excitement surrounding Alex Ovechkin’s chase for Wayne Gretzky’s NHL all-time goals record is set to resume shortly.
Signs indicate that Ovechkin will make his comeback to the Washington Capitals’ roster against the Toronto Maple Leafs this Saturday night, following a five-week recovery from a fractured left leg. Ovechkin participated fully in practice on Friday, skating alongside his usual linemates, Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas, and engaging in power-play drills.
Coach Spencer Carbery expressed optimism regarding Ovechkin’s recovery but stated he would assess how the 39-year-old player performs after a complete practice prior to finalizing any decisions on his availability for Saturday.
Before his injury, Ovechkin led the NHL with 15 goals in 18 games. Currently, he is 27 goals shy of surpassing Gretzky’s historic total of 894 goals, a milestone that once seemed unreachable.
As the veteran winger and former Capitals captain, Ovechkin could potentially break this record before the season concludes if he continues his earlier scoring pace, which was interrupted due to a collision with Jack McBain of the Utah team on November 18 that resulted in a broken fibula.
During the 15 games that Ovechkin has missed, the Capitals managed to secure 10 victories, positioning themselves second in the Eastern Conference as they emerge from the Christmas break.
“There’s a massive void created, but it also opens up opportunities for players who typically wouldn’t get that chance,” noted longtime teammate and 2018 Stanley Cup champion John Carlson. He added that when one player is sidelined, it often becomes a moment for others to step up and take on greater responsibilities. He emphasized the depth of the team, stating that this has been their strength this season as contributions come from all players.
In his 20 seasons in the NHL, Ovechkin has only missed 50 games due to injuries, showcasing remarkable durability that has given him an opportunity to pursue Gretzky’s record.
“He plays every shift with intensity, avoiding a complacent approach,” said winger Tom Wilson. “He’s been a power forward throughout his two decades, consistently pushing his limits and possibly being the greatest goal-scorer of all time.”
Following their matchup with the Maple Leafs, the Capitals will face the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday as part of a back-to-back series, before returning home to battle the Boston Bruins on New Year’s Eve.
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