The Capitals captain was in good spirits after Wednesday's busy practice.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was in good spirits as he addressed the media in Edmonton on Tuesday, and he was ready to respond to the inevitable question about the Oilers' dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Ovechkin was asked about preparing to face Edmonton with McDavid and Draisaitl on different lines, and he used the question to promote two of the Capitals' rising rookie centers.
"Well, we have Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre so different lines," he told reporters with a smile. "So, we're good."
Both McMichael and Lapierre have taken on bigger roles with the Capitals of late following Evgeny Kuznetsov's departure and Nic Dowd's injury. Each has been playing top-6 minutes, with Lapierre also serving as Ovechkin's top-line center over this recent stretch and being among the NHL's top rookie scorers in his latest call-up.
Ovechkin and the Capitals have also called McMichael "McJesus," McDavid's nickname once upon a time in Oil Country.
In more seriousness, Ovechkin said that his team has to put on a better performance than it did on Monday, where a lack of momentum and aggression on the forecheck resulted in a 3-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
"Everybody have to do their best," Ovechkin said. "We have to play better than last game."
Washington last faced Edmonton on Nov. 24, falling 5-0 in a disappointing game. The Capitals need two points as the playoff push continues, and they are in the midst of a five-game road swing that could determine the team's playoff hopes.
That said, Ovechkin sees Wednesday's meeting with the Oilers as an opportunity.
"There's one of the best team in the league. It's gonna be a good challenge for us," Ovechkin said. "How I said, we're gonna fight; we're gonna do our best to get two points."