Wraparound World Junior Odds Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has taken the next step forward in his recovery. Ovechkin took the ice in a regular jersey for Friday's optional morning skate, officially upgrading from the powder blue jersey [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/news/washington-capitals-alex-ovechkin-getting-close-return-lineup] and being cleared for contact drills. It marks a significant part of the 39-year-old’s road back, as it’s the final step before he’s cleared to return to game action. Per coach Spencer Carbery, Ovechkin will not play before the holiday break, but that first game back against the Toronto Maple Leafs is a possibility. Ovechkin has missed the last 12 games with a broken left fibula he suffered after colliding with Jack McBain [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/takes/washington-capitals-tom-wilson-unwritten-code-hockey-jack-mcbain] on Nov. 18 in a win over Utah Hockey Club. At the time of his injury, Ovechkin was leading the league with 15 goals through 18 games. He’s still on his original timetable of four-to-six weeks, but recent reports and updates have him projected to return for at least one game before the holiday break or in one of the games immediately after. When Ovechkin returns, he will be eager to continue his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. He currently sits at 868 career goals and is 27 back on the record. The Capitals have been able to maintain a winning record without Ovechkin, but getting him back in the mix will be a major boost as the team looks to build on its offense and return to the top of the Eastern Conference. “You got to kind of take it all in when he’s around, because he’s one of a kind,” Tom Wilson said.
