Ovechkin Reflects On 'Hard Time' Recovering From Broken Leg, Excited To Return For Capitals & Continue Chase

The Capitals captain sits 27 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time record.

Despite a broken leg, Alex Ovechkin's been around for the Washington Capitals. But Saturday will be different, as he's finally ready to make his return to the lineup after fracturing his left fibula back on Nov. 18.

Ovechkin will play against the Toronto Maple Leafs, marking his long-awaited return after sitting out the last 16 games. It was the longest absence of his 20-year career.

"It doesn't matter which city we are in... I just want to come back and play hockey," Ovechkin said. "It was hard months. Work out, watch the games. You always want to help your teammates and your team to win. It was a hard time."

For the 39-year-old, the time on the injured reserve became repetitive, as he spent the majority of the time in the gym rehabilitating and getting back to form before returning to the ice.

"Bikes, all the stuff, helped me recover," Ovechkin said. "Train stuff, the guys who are just doing it, it was hard... It was not fun."

All the while, he tried to stay close to his teammates and as involved as possible.

"He'd be lingering around and he didn't want to miss a thing," Tom Tom Wilson said, noting that Ovechkin went as far as going into the showers to try to listen into what was going on in the locker room. "It's pretty remarkable. He just loves coming to the rink, and he puts in a ton of time and effort. He's been there for every guy. Even though he was out, he was helping us along."

Before his injury, Ovechkin led the league with 15 goals through 18 games. He remains on pace for 55 goals and 91 points, and though he's eager to resume his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal-scoring record, he's more excited to be back with the Capitals, who went 10-5-1 without him in the mix.

"You don't think all of this stuff is happening around it," Ovechkin admitted. "You're just focusing on your recovery, your injury and hope to try to get better and coming back.

"The boys did a great job without me. They play well right now."

Ovechkin will make his return on a big stage in Toronto on Hockey Night In Canada, and while he's looking forward to it, he knows it'll take time to get back in the full rhythm of playing night after night.

"Practice is one thing. In the games, it's a different speed, it's a different (intensity)," Ovechkin said. "You just have to be smart and play the right way."