Ovechkin Morning Skate ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals got quite a bit of news at Saturday's morning skate, as captain Alex Ovechkin joined the group for the first time since fracturing his left fibula a few weeks ago. Ovechkin took part in skills work with coach Kenny McCudden ahead of practice and participated in a handful of drills during the skate before leaving the ice roughly eight minutes after it started [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/news/washington-capitals-alex-ovechkin-joins-team-practice-recovery]. He remains in a non-contact jersey. While it was a significant step forward for the 39-year-old, coach Spencer Carbery said there's still no change to his original four-to-six-week timetable. "It's another step. I wouldn't start to put targets or setting projected dates that he would return," Carbery said. "I just think it's another step, him being involved in a morning skate where there's other players around him." Still, it was a major boost for the team to see him on the ice. "You got to kind of take it all in when he's around because he's one of a kind," Tom Wilson said. It is to be determined whether or not Ovechkin will travel for the team's upcoming two-game back-to-back series against the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. Washington first has to take care of business on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres, who head to Capital One Arena on an eight-game losing streak. The lines will remain the same, with Logan Thompson starting in net as D.C. sticks with its goaltending rotation. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. ET. In other injury news, Sonny Milano did not skate, but there is no setback in his timeline, as days off are just a part of the process of his recovery. The 28-year-old is working his way back from an upper-body injury and remains on the long-term injured reserve.
