Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin will be back in the lineup Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery confirmed the news with reporters.
"I even just think the threat of him being able to score, I think it lifts up our entire group," Carbery said. "Him being in the lineup, his presence, his infectious personality, demeanour, and him being on the ice whether it's power play, a faceoff, five-on-five, at any moment everybody in the building along with our 19 other players believe that he can score.
"So that I think lifts our entire group up and just him being back in the lineup is going to be a welcomed addition."
Ovechkin sustained a fractured left fibula on Nov. 18 in a collision with Utah's Jack McBain. He was a full participant in practice on Dec. 20 after an initial return timeline of four to six weeks.
The 39-year-old Ovechkin recorded 15 goals and 25 points in 18 games before the injury.
He now has 868 career NHL goals as he draws near to Wayne Gretzky (894) for the all-time record.
The Capitals sit second in the Metropolitan Division at 23-9-2 despite playing nearly half their games without Ovechkin.
Watch the Capitals face the Maple Leafs live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
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