The Capitals captain officially joined his team for practice, marking the first time he's skated with the group since breaking his leg.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has taken another significant step forward in his recovery, as he's officially joined the team for practice.

Ovechkin was on the ice ahead of Saturday's morning skate for skills work with coach Kenny McCudden and stayed on to work with the team ahead of their game against the Buffalo Sabres.

The 39-year-old remained in a non-contact jersey and didn't stay on for the whole time as the team got into special teams work, but it is a significant step forward in his recovery, marking the first time he's skated with the team since breaking his left fibula on Nov. 18 against Utah Hockey Club.

Before this, he had been skating on his own long before practice. He just started working with pucks this past week, as he joined teammate Nicklas Backstrom — who is on the long-term injured reserve amid hip complications — for some light work.

Ovechkin's timeline has not changed, but the original four-to-six-week timeline has him on pace to return near the end of December or early January. Given he's already joined the team, it could be sooner rather than later.

This story is being updated in real time.