The chase for Wayne Gretzky's goal record is set to resume on Saturday.
Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin is on track to make an expedited return to the ice after suffering a fractured fibula in a game on Nov. 18.
Although a final decision is not expected to be made until Saturday's game, Ovechkin skated with his linemates on Friday and is is trending towards a return against the Toronto Maple Leafs, as confirmed by head coach Spencer Carbery.
Amidst his 20th season, Ovechkin was on pace to reach Gretzky's 894 career goals before the shin-on-shin injury with Utah Hockey Club's Jamie McBain that sidelined him for five weeks.
If he is ready to play, Ovechkin will have missed 15 total games in his recovery, 10 of which the Capitals won as they sit in second place of the Metropolitan Division.
Some injury updates today:
Auston Matthews won't play tonight (DET) or tomorrow (WASH). Alexander Ovechkin trending positively for the latter game, but no firm commitment.
Linus Ullmark won't go on Ottawa's road trip
Kirill Kaprizov out tonight (DAL). He's day-to-day
The 39-year-old left winger started the first month and change on a tear, leading the NHL with 15 goals through 18 games.
Ovechkin had already potted two goals in that game, bringing him to within 27 of crossing Gretzky.
After posting 65 points, which ties for his worst output in an 82-game season that he was healthy for, Ovechkin's twilight years looked like they were upon us. He began the campaign with 42 goals to go before passing Gretzky, which then seemed like an unlikely feat.
The Capitals made the playoffs last season with a minus-37 goal differential, which anointed them the worst team to get into the tournament in 33 years. They were swept by the Presidents Trophy-winning New York Rangers in the first round.
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This makes the surge in Ovechkin's — and the Capitals' — game all the more a shocking story line as the first half of 2024-25 has progressed. The Capitals are one point behind the New Jersey Devils for first place and are plus-36 through 34 games.
If Ovechkin's return against Toronto should be green lit, he's had consistent success against them throughout his career, scoring a total of 44 goals against the Leafs, which is the fifth-most among all opposing teams he's faced.
This would be the icing on a career that's featured three Hart Trophy awards (most valuable player), a Stanley Cup, Calder Trophy (rookie of the year), Conn Smythe (most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, nine Maurice Rocket Richard Trophies (leading goal-scorer in the NHL) and several other important pieces of hardware.
That's all aside from the fact that Ovechkin already owns the all-time record for power-play goals and shots on goal.
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