Ovechkin’s Comeback in High Gear: Capitals’ Star Shines in Full-Contact Practice

As the Washington Capitals gear up for the 2025-26 NHL season, all eyes are on Alex Ovechkin, the league’s all-time goal-scoring king, who took a major step toward opening-night readiness on September 29, 2025. The 40-year-old forward, fresh off a lower-body injury, donned a regular jersey for the first time since training camp began, powering through a full-contact practice at Arlington’s MedStar Capitals Iceplex. With the season opener against the Boston Bruins set for October 8 at Capital One Arena, Ovechkin’s return to form signals a promising start for the Capitals—and a continued chase for hockey immortality.

The Road to Recovery: A Cautious Climb Back

Ovechkin’s journey back began after a setback on the first day of camp, September 18, when he left practice just minutes in due to a lower-body tweak. The Capitals, mindful of their captain’s age and the grind of his 21st NHL season looming, took a measured approach. After skating solo in a non-contact jersey starting September 23 and joining teammates in a limited capacity on September 27, Monday’s full-contact session marked a pivotal milestone. “It feels good,” Ovechkin said post-practice, his trademark grin belying the week of missed ice time. “I need more touches, more ice with the boys, because that week I missed hit me a bit. But I’ll take it.”

Skating on the left wing alongside Anthony Beauvillier and Dylan Strome, Ovechkin looked sharp, seamlessly integrating into line rushes and anchoring the first power-play unit during the hour-long session. Coach Spencer Carbery was optimistic: “He was moving around well. No setbacks, so that’s a positive step.” While Ovechkin is unlikely to suit up for the preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 30, Carbery left the door open for the final two exhibition matches—home games against the Bruins on October 2 and the Blue Jackets on October 4. “We’ll see where it goes from a playing games perspective,” Carbery added.

Fascinating Fact: Ovechkin’s 897 career goals, cemented with his record-breaking 895th against the New York Islanders on April 6, 2025, surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s mark, making him the NHL’s undisputed goal-scoring leader—a feat achieved in 1,485 games.

The Ovechkin Edge: Defying Age and Expectations

At 40, an age when most players have long hung up their skates, Ovechkin remains a force. His 2024-25 season, despite a similar minor injury at camp’s start, saw him tie Buffalo’s Tage Thompson for third league-wide with 44 goals in 65 games—an astonishing output for a player in his late 30s. That campaign included his historic 895th goal, a milestone that sent shockwaves through the hockey world. Now, with nine days until the season opener, Carbery is confident in Ovechkin’s readiness: “He’s missed a significant amount of camp, but he’s been training and skating, doing everything he can at 40 to be ready for opening night.”

Ovechkin’s approach to this injury mirrors his career-long pragmatism. “Sometimes you tweak something, pull a muscle a bit, and you have to be smart,” he explained. “You feel sore in your knee or wrist, maybe need an injection or pills, but we don’t want to push it now. It’s training camp—we have time.” Instead of rushing, he’s leaned on gym work and off-ice conditioning, ensuring his body is primed for the grueling 82-game season.

What’s Next: Aiming for Opening Night

The Capitals’ cautious strategy reflects their reliance on Ovechkin, not just as a scorer but as a leader. His presence on the top line and power-play unit is critical to a team aiming to rebound from a first-round playoff exit in 2025. Monday’s practice showed flashes of his signature explosiveness—wrist shots that echoed off the boards and a physicality that belied his recent injury. “Hope my body feels good,” Ovechkin said, already eyeing the Bruins matchup. “I’ll be ready.”

With the regular season just over a week away, the Capitals are banking on their captain’s resilience. His history of bouncing back—last season’s 44 goals came after a similar camp hiccup—suggests he’s on track to hit the ice firing. As fans pack Capital One Arena on October 8, they’ll be watching not just a player, but a legend still rewriting the record books. Will Ovechkin add to his 897 goals? In D.C., the answer’s as certain as his slapshot.

Source: article by Tom Gulitti on nhl.com, published September 29, 2025.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer