Alex Ovechkin injury update: Washington Capitals forward skates, could play against New York Islanders
The Washington Capitals haven’t struggled following the Alex Ovechkin injury, but they’d sure love to have him back out on the ice. That appears close to happening, as Ovechkin skated with his teammates this morning at practice
. The Caps have been without their best player since he injured his upper body against the Vancouver Canucks while crashing into the net and falling awkwardly on his shoulder.
He was back at practice this morning though, and lined up at right wing with Nicklas Backstrom as his center and Brooks Laich on the left side.
#CapitalsTalk Yes, that's Alex Ovechkin back on the ice. On a line with LW Brooks Laich, C Nicklas Backstrom pic.twitter.com/8g8WT38dzt
— Chuck Gormley (@CharlesAGormley) November 4, 2013
Despite missing Washington’s last two games, Ovechkin is still third in the NHL in goals, trailing Alexander Steen by two and Steven Stamkos by a single tally.
The Capitals don’t play until tomorrow night against the New York Islanders. They’ll be gunning for their third consecutive victory after beating the Philadelphia Flyers and Florida Panthers over the weekend.
The Caps are 7-7 on the year and will look to climb the weak Metropolitan Division standings by stringing together a couple of wins. In Ovechkin’s absence, several depth players have seemingly stepped up their games. Joel Ward collected a hat trick against the Flyers, while Eric Fehr has garnered some playing time on Washington’s top power-play unit.