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Washington Capitals News

Ovechkin (lower-body) will be a game-time decision on Saturday.

Ovechkin missed Thursday’s game and he says he is feeling better after participating in yesterday’s practice and today’s skate, but he remains a game-time decision. He will take part in warmups and then the Capitals will decide whether or not he will play.

Alex Ovechkin
Jenner will miss 1-2 months with a stress fracture in his back.

The injury woes continue in Columbus. Jenner, who missed the start of the season with a broken had, has scored six goals with six assists (12 points) in 20 games before getting injured. He has been placed on IR and will be out until at least late-January. The Blue Jackets recalled Sean Collins from Springfield (AHL).

Boone Jenner
Ovechkin (upper-body) will play on Wednesday.

Ovechkin left practice on Tuesday with an upper-body injury, but was back on the ice this morning and he confirmed that he will be in the lineup vs. the Islanders. Ovi will skate with Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson. Ovechkin is averaging 4.65 shots per game and has18 points (9G / 9A) in 20 games.

Alex Ovechkin
Wilson is skating on the Capitals top line this morning.

The second year forward played a season-high 15:04 and scored one goal with one assist against Arizona on Sunday. This morning he is skating with Alex Ovehckin and Nicklas Backstrom, so it looks like he will be taking on a larger offensive role. Head coach Barry Trotz expressed his interest in having this trio together in the preseason and it has materialized.

Tom Wilson
Jenner (hand) will return to the Blue Jackets lineup on Tuesday.

Jenner has not played yet this season because of a broken hand that he suffered in the preseason. He was expected to open the season on the Blue Jacket top line with Ryan Johansen, but he will make his season debut on the third line with Alexander Wennberg and Matt Calvert, who also returns to the lineup tonight.

Boone Jenner
Jenner (hand) is skating on a regular line in Blue Jackets practice.

Jenner has not played this season because of a broken hand he suffered in the preseason, but he has been progressing and skating on a regular line this morning suggests he could make his season debut on Tuesday vs. Carolina. Jenner had 16 goals and 13 assists (29 points) in 72 games in his rookie season and will likely find himself on Ryan Johansen's wing again, even if he does not start there in his debut.

Boone Jenner
Jenner (hand) expected to make his season debut next week.

Jenner skated with a glove on his injured hand and handled pucks for the third straight practice. There’s still no defined date for Jenner’s return, but he knows he is getting closer. “It’s hard to put a number on that day, that’s the thing," Jenner said. "You just try to see when you’re ready to go. And if today’s the day then you take it from there. He remains day-to-day, but this is finally some positive news on the Blue Jackets' injury front.

Boone Jenner
Wilson will make his season debut tonight.

Wilson was originally listed as a game-time decision, but he will be in the lineup with Eric Fehr coming out of the lineup. He will start on the fourth line, but there was some chatter in the preseason that the Capitals were thinking about having him playing on the top line with Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin, so he might be someone to keep an eye on.

Tom Wilson
Wilson (ankle) will be a game-time decision tonight.

Wilson, 20, was recently recalled from his conditioning stint with Hershey and rotated in on the Capitals fourth line in the morning skate. Head coach Barry Trotz called him a game-time decision, which likely means he will take warmups and a decision will be made then. If he plays, Eric Fehr will come out.

Tom Wilson
Jenner (hand) is practicing with the Blue Jackets this morning.

Jenner has been sidelined since the preseason after undergoing surgery to repair a broken hand. Jenner is nearly four weeks into a five-week timetable, so his return to the ice appears to be right on schedule. Expect him to skate with the Blue Jackets throughout the week and likely return this weekend or next week.

Boone Jenner