When the games start to count, Alex Ovechkin figures to be on the ice with the Washington Capitals.
The NHL's career leading goal-scorer is trending toward a return from a lower-body injury for the season opener on Oct. 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes, Capitals coach Spencer Carbery told reporters on Friday, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.
“I expect him to be ready,” Carbery said. “We would need a setback for him not to be ready for our opening game of the season in Carolina. We would need something to change. But I expect him to be ready.”
Ovechkin will not play a pre-season game, as Carbery confirmed he'll sit out exhibition contests on Friday and Saturday.
The 41-year-old did take part in a full practice on Thursday.
“I’m not going to sit here and say that it’s the best scenario possible him not playing any exhibition games, but we’re making sure without a doubt,” Carbery said. “Even if he’s 90-95, if he is not 100 per cent there, what’s the sense in rushing him to play? No disrespect, we’d like to get him into a game, but it’s an exhibition game at the same time.
“So we’ll give him an extra whatever the exact amount of days to get himself 100 per cent healthy, which is more of a priority than him getting into a little bit of game action.”
