Ovechkin appears set to return
By: Brian McNally
Examiner Staff Writer
November 17, 2009
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| Capitals star forward and two-time NHL MVP Alex Ovechkin participated in his first full practice on Monday since suffering an upper-body injury on Nov. 1. (Getty Images) |
Injured star takes part in team contact drills
He was gone for six games with an upper-body injury. But take a look at the NHL leaderboard and Alex Ovechkin's name still sits atop the goals scored category.
That's how good a start the 24-year-old left wing had in October. That's what the Caps hope they're getting back tonight when they face the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden at 7 p.m.
Ovechkin participated in his first full practice since the injury on Monday morning at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, where Washington lost to the Devils on Saturday night, 5-2. He wore his familiar red practice jersey -- the one that allows him to take part in contact drills -- and skated on the top line with teammates Nicklas Backstrom and Chris Clark, himself a substitute for injured winger Mike Knuble (broken finger).
"We'll see tomorrow," Ovechkin told reporters in New Jersey on Monday. "I feel good, excited. Again, we'll see tomorrow how I'm going to feel."
Ovechkin was injured during a scrum against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Nov. 1. The Caps do not officially disclose injuries to players, listing Ovechkin as out with an upper-body strain. But it has been clear over the last two weeks that he was struggling with an injury around his left shoulder.
Entering play Monday night, Ovechkin was tied with Los Angeles forward Anze Kopitar and San Jose forward Dany Heatley with 14 goals. Ovechkin also is tied for sixth in the league with 23 points. Caps coach Bruce Boudreau was waiting for final word from Washington trainer Greg Smith, but he seemed confident when talking to reporters after practice that Ovechkin would be ready to go for the first time in two weeks.
"I think he's fine," Boudreau said. "I haven't got the 100-percent word yet. But he practiced today and there's a good probability of it happening."
Neither forward Boyd Gordon (back) nor defenseman Milan Jurcina (hamstring) practiced on Monday and both are doubtful for Tuesday's contest against the Rangers. Knuble is out three-to-four weeks after breaking his finger during a fall in Friday's win over Minnesota and undergoing surgery.
