The Capitals are the top team in the East. The Washington Capitals continue to get positive news on the Alex Ovechkin front, as the captain continued skating on Wednesday — and has a special guest with him, too. Ovechkin was on the ice for skating work ahead of practice and working with teammate Nicklas Backstrom [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/features/washington-capitals-nicklas-backstrom-migraine-attacks-1-on-1], who was in a tracksuit. The two shared a hug at the end of the session. The Russian also worked with pucks for the first time, taking passes from Backstrom for one-timers. Backstrom is currently on the long-term injured reserve and has not skated with the team since last October, when he chose to take a leave of absence amid continued complications following hip resurfacing surgery in June 2022. There is no timetable for Backstrom's return, and though he's been around the team and facility, he has not been skating much. His contract expires at the end of this year. Ovechkin, meanwhile, is recovering from a fractured left fibula that he suffered on Nov. 18 when he collided with Utah Hockey Club's Jack McBain [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/takes/washington-capitals-tom-wilson-unwritten-code-hockey-jack-mcbain]. The next step will see him get some skills work in before joining the team again for practice and eventually being cleared for contact. The 39-year-old remains on a four-to-six-week timeline, which would have him returning in late December or early January. Ovechkin had a league-leading 15 goals in 18 games at the time of his injury. He is just 27 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, and based on when he returns, could still potentially be on track to break it this season.
