Capitals Alex Ovechkin to return Saturday night against Maple Leafs

When speaking to the media on Saturday, Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carberry confirmed that Alex Ovechkin will make his return to the lineup that night when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Ovechkin has been out of the lineup since Nov. 18, when he suffered a fractured fibula when he collided with Utah Hockey Club forward Jack McBain. He was projected to miss 4-6 weeks, making his return to the lineup right on schedule.

Washington has done alright without their superstar in the lineup, going 10-5-1 in Ovechkin’s absence, though they lost three of their last five games heading into the holiday break.

The ailment derailed what was an incredible start to the 2024-25 season for the 39-year-old. Ovechkin had scored 15 goals in the first 18 games of the season, including five in the two contests leading up to his injury. It has led many to wonder if we’ll have to wait until next year to see Ovechkin catch Wayne Gretzky and become the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer. With how the Moscow native had started this season, there was a clear path for him to catch The Great One prior to the postseason.

The nine-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner has 868 goals in 1,444 career games, 26 behind Gretzky. With 48 games remaining in the Caps’ regular season, there is still a chance Ovi can make history this year.

Yet, Ovechkin returning to game action on Saturday in the hockey mecca of the world couldn’t be more fitting. The future Hall of Famer has torched the Maple Leafs, especially in their own barn. In 60 games against Toronto, Ovi has scored 44 goals, including 24 tallies in 29 games at Scotiabank Arena.

The Capitals (23-9-2) are second in the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference, trailing the first-place New Jersey Devils by three points.