Tom Wilson Returns To Capitals Practice In 'Fishbowl' Hybrid Shield As Nose Heals; Alex Ovechkin Takes Brief Skate After Being 'Nicked Up'

The Capitals wingers skated after missing practice on Tuesday.

ARLINGTON, V.A. – Tom Wilson was back on the ice for the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, and he has a new accessory on his helmet as he continues to recover from an injured nose.

Wilson traded in his visor for a hybrid shield, colloquially known in the hockey world as a "fishbowl," in order to protect his nose and face as his nose heals.

The 29-year-old injured his nose back on Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings when he went in for a hit on Alex Laferriere and took the butt-end of Laferriere's stick to the face during their collision. He went off momentarily to address the bleeding but returned shortly after to help the team secure a 4-3 win.

Wilson did not skate on Tuesday, as head coach Spencer Carbery gave him the day off and noted that he was still "pretty sore." He was at the facility, though, sporting a nose splint.

His presence at Wednesday's skate indicates that he'll be good to go for Thursday against the Seattle Kraken, though he'll probably be in the fishbowl a bit longer.

Alex Ovechkin, who took his second maintenance day in a span of four days on Tuesday, was also back on the ice work ahead of practice and skated briefly for the Capitals before leaving the surface early. It's unclear if he'll play on Thursday.

Ovechkin was hurting after a collision with Jordan Staal back on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes and had been a game-time decision against the Kings, but he ended up playing and getting an assist in the win. He was a bit "nicked up" after the game, though, per Carbery, so he took another maintenance day. But, like Wilson, he was still present at the rink.