Alex Ovechkin will return to the Washington Capitals’ lineup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. The game will mark Ovechkin’s first in 40 days since breaking his fibula against the Utah Hockey Club on November 18. Ovechkin missed 16 consecutive outings, the most of his 20-year career.
While speaking to Toronto media after the Capitals’ morning skate, Ovechkin was open about how difficult it was to sit out while trying to rehab his injury.
“Obviously, it was hard month,” Ovechkin said. “Workout, watch the games, and you always want to help all your teammates and your team to win. Yeah, was hard time.
“Spending lots of time in gym,” Ovechkin added. “Yeah, bikes, all the staff do great job, help me recover. It was hard. Thanks for support my family, fans.”
The Capitals went 10-5-1 in Ovechkin’s absence and remain near the top of the NHL in points percentage (.706 – third best). Washington is second in the Metropolitan Division (48 points), three behind the New Jersey Devils with four games in hand.
“The boys do great job without me,” Ovechkin said. “I don’t know, they playing well right now, so what kind of game I’m going to represent right now because practice is one thing, but the games is a different speed, it’s a different intensity. You just have to be smart and play the right way.”
Ovechkin said neither the opposing team nor his chase of Wayne Gretzky’s goals record played any factor in when he returned or how hard he rehabbed.
“Well, right now, at this point it doesn’t matter which team and what game. I just want to come back and play hockey,” he said. “You don’t think about all the stuff that’s happening around it. You just focusing on your recovery, your injury, and hope to try to get better, and coming back.”
As for the Atlantic Division-leading Leafs, Ovechkin was asked for his analysis of the club.
“Same team, different coach,” he said.
