The wait is over for the Washington Capitals. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the Capitals are anticipated to activate Alex Ovechkin from the group’s injured reserve Saturday night time in opposition to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Ovechkin has missed the final 16 video games for Washington after struggling a damaged fibula in opposition to the Utah Hockey Membership on Nov. 18. The harm was a serious buzzkill to Ovechkin’s season because the veteran sniper acquired off to a torrid begin with 15 targets and 25 factors in 18 video games.
His sizzling begin put him solely 27 targets away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s report of 894 profession targets. Ovechkin will nonetheless have 48 video games to interrupt Gretzky’s report this season regardless of lacking over a month resulting from harm. Not solely will Ovechkin chase the goal-scoring report for the remaining regular-season video games, however he may also assist Washington pursue the group’s first Metropolitan Division title for the reason that 2019-20 season.
He’s now moved to second behind Connor McMichael in goal-scoring for the Capitals this season. Nonetheless, Washington carried out properly in its captain’s absence with a 10-5-1 report. Exterior of their report, the Capitals have surprisingly excelled in areas of the sport that Ovechkin would in any other case excel in.
Washington managed a 16.4 p.c power-play proportion with 9 targets in 55 alternatives with Ovechkin within the lineup at first of the 12 months however has turned issues round with 13 targets in 47 makes an attempt (27.7 p.c) in his absence. Nonetheless, its five-on-five goal-scoring has taken fairly a success, dropping to three.68 GF/G after averaging 4.33 with Ovechkin.
The Capitals gained’t should make any corresponding roster transfer for Ovechkin’s activation since they’re reportedly protecting Lars Eller on the group’s injured reserve resulting from sickness. Former first-round decide Hendrix Lapierre will slot down the center of the group’s third line, whereas Ovechkin will reprise his position on the group’s prime line.
Ovechkin has publicly said he’s placing the Capitals’ playoff aspirations above his chase for the goal-scoring report. If he can’t break it this season, he’ll have yet one more 12 months below his present contract, giving him loads of time to finally take the crown.
