TORONTO — Alex Ovechkin scored an empty-net purpose in his return to motion, and the Washington Capitals upended the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Saturday night time.
In posting his 869th profession purpose, Washington’s captain is now inside 25 of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL mark of 894. It was his sixteenth purpose in 19 video games this season.
Ovechkin, who skated with the staff usually and was across the locker room all through his restoration, performed in his first sport since he fractured his left fibula Nov. 18 in opposition to the Utah Hockey Club, an evening wherein he collided with ahead Jack McBain.
“It was enjoyable, it was robust,” Ovechkin stated of his return in a postgame interview throughout SportsNet’s “Hockey Night In Canada” broadcast. “Obviously, it was a unique rhythm, totally different velocity. But you realize, I’ll take it, and we received.”
The 39-year-old — who had by no means missed greater than six video games in his profession with an ailment — was scheduled to be out 4 to 6 weeks following the harm. He resumed skating Dec. 2 and had made regular progress into the NHL’s current vacation break.
“It was a tough month,” Ovechkin stated. “I attempted to be in form as a lot as I can. … But I’m fairly completely happy to bounce again and are available again to the sport.”
In chasing Gretzky — throughout a season that has seen the resurgent Capitals storm again into playoff rivalry, no much less — Ovechkin has saved all of it in perspective.
“Just take it sport by sport,” Ovechkin stated, “shift by shift, and attempt to do my greatest.”
Washington went 10-5-1 with out Ovechkin, however Washington coach Spencer Carbery is now anticipating a major “increase” for the Capitals as they attempt to keep their place atop the Eastern Conference standings.
“He’s our captain; he is the best purpose scorer of all time,” Carbery stated earlier than the sport. “You might really feel it, such as you have been simply ready for the day when he’ll come again within the lineup. You might really feel his presence round, and he is participated a bit bit extra, and now the day has come.”
Ovechkin — who performed 14 minutes, 58 seconds, and recorded three hits and three pictures along with his purpose — has a fast turnaround. The Capitals go to the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.
Andrew Mangiapane, Jakob Chychrun, Nic Dowd and Tom Wilson additionally scored for the Capitals within the win. John Tavares and Bobby McMann scored for the Maple Leafs within the loss.
Logan Thompson stopped 35 pictures for the win, whereas Matt Murray made 27 saves for Toronto.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
