Washington could again be shorthanded as they take on the New Jersey Devils.
ARLINGTON, V.A. -- Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is back on the ice, and it appears that he could possibly play once more as the team closes out their season at home against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.
Ovechkin took the ice for the team's final morning skate of the season and was in high spirits, taking rushes with Nicklas Backstrom and Craig Smith. He has not played since Thursday while dealing with an upper-body injury, and he has missed the last three games and nine total this season.
This is also the first season of his 18-year NHL career that he has missed games with injuries on three separate occasions. He also missed four games following the death of his father, Mikhail.
Through 72 games this season, Ovechkin has 42 goals and 32 assists for 74 points.
The Capitals are still dealing with a number of injuries across the board. T.J. Oshie (upper-body) , Anthony Mantha (lower-body), Nic Dowd (upper-body) and Trevor van Riemsdyk (upper-body) are also dealing with injuries.
Mantha and TVR told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti that they will not play, though both upgraded from non-contact for practice. Dowd is also out, and Oshie is done for the season.
Matt Irwin, who did not skate, will be a game-time decision. If he can't play, the team will have five defensemen.
Not only that, but goaltender Charlie Lindgren was hurt on Tuesday while making a highlight-reel save as part of his stellar outing against the Boston Bruins. The injury is not serious.
NCAA Division III goaltender Reid Cooper signed an amateur tryout with the team and will back up Darcy Kuemper.