The Capitals captain has points in both of his preseason outings so far after starting training camp "a little bit nicked up."
ARLINGTON, V.A. — "What's up?" Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin asks with a smile.
The 39-year-old is in high spirits after a long training camp session at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, especially as he ramps back up and gets into game action.
"(It's) different pace, different level of game, you know?" Ovechkin told The Hockey News. "We play summer hockey and then you coming back from that, kind of first couple shifts of the first period, it's hard."
Ovechkin has a goal and an assist through both of his preseason outings so far. He's been kicking things into higher gear since the start of camp, where he was a "little bit nicked up" and dealing with a minor injury.
For Ovechkin, though, it's not cause for concern.
"I have little sore, so we kind of like, was careful with that," Ovechkin said. "Right now, I feel pretty good."
Ovechkin is going into his 20th NHL season on the verge of history, sitting 42 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time record. All the while, he's taking on a bigger role in his captaincy as he welcomes seven new players to the mix after a summer of change.
"They're great guys, great players," Ovechkin said. "I think we're gonna work well (together)."
Washington is spending the next few days in Columbus before returning home to close out camp. The regular season opens on Oct. 12 at home against the New Jersey Devils.
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