Tom Wilson on Alex Ovechkin Exactly two weeks after fracturing his left fibula, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is back on the ice. Head coach Spencer Carbery said on Monday that it was Ovechkin's first time skating since the injury as he got a feel for the ice and skated lightly in a tracksuit." "It was nice to see," Carbery said. "Just the first step." It marks a significant stride forward for Ovechkin, who suffered the injury on Nov. 18 after a shin-to-shin collision with Utah Hockey Club forward Jack McBain. Ovechkin has been around the team and rehabilitating off the ice and has been walking around without crutches or a visible brace or cast. He still has a timetable of 4-6 weeks, which could have him returning by late December or at some point in January. There are still ways for the captain to go; not only does he have to join the group, but he has to get back into the rhythm of full practices and eventually, be cleared for contact before playing. However, this is a step in the right direction. In 18 games this season before his injury, Ovechkin was off to one of the best starts of his career [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/takes/washington-capitals-equipped-cope-without-alex-ovechkin-tough-day-hockey-world], racking up 15 goals — and leading the league at the time he broke his leg. The Russian is just 27 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time scoring record. Washington has been working to fill the void without him, and though the team's been able to find offense and continue to win hockey games, getting him back will be vital as the Capitals continue to make noise down the stretch. They currently lead the Metropolitan Division.
