Pacioretty could lace 'em up for the Capitals as soon as Saturday.
The Washington Capitals have been patient with Max Pacioretty as he recovers from a re-torn Achilles, and they could finally see the forward make his season debut as soon as the weekend.
Head coach Spencer Carbery had an encouraging update on the 34-year-old after Wednesday's morning skate against the New York Rangers, saying that Pacioretty is getting "real close" to making his way back into the lineup and could be in the lineup as soon as Saturday.
"Patches is getting closer, whether it's this weekend at home, Nashville, it's right around the corner," Carbery told reporters in New York.
Pacioretty hasn't played since suffering his second torn Achilles in a span of five months back on Jan. 19, 2023. He was five games into his return from his first tear, and had three goals over that span for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Washington signed Pacioretty to a one-year, $2 million deal in the offseason, expecting him to take some significant time to continue his recovery before making his way back into the lineup.
Pacioretty upgraded to contact earlier in the month and has been skating with the group for weeks now.
With him back in the mix, the Capitals get another reliable goal-scoring option that has proven to be consistent over the course of his storied career. He has six 30-goal seasons under his belt, and he hasn't seemed to have lost his touch.
His fast return would also more than welcome with Sonny Milano and T.J. Oshie still ailing. Milano is a bit further off in the distance after suffering an upper-body injury earlier in the month. Oshie skated in a regular jersey and made some progress over the break, so he will continue to be evaluated.
Washington returns to game action against the Rangers on Wednesday following the three-day holiday break. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden.