<p>Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin will make his return to the lineup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, after missing more than a month with a fractured fibula, head coach Spencer Carbery confirmed.</p>
<p>&#8220;I think, the obvious one is his goal-scoring but the threat of him being able to score, it lifts up our entire group,&#8221; Carbery said of Ovechkin&#8217;s return. &#8220;Him being in the lineup, his presence, his infectious personality, his demeanour, him being on the ice, whether it&#8217;s a power play, faceoff, 5-on-5, at any moment, everybody in the building, along with our 19 other players, believe that he can score. That lifts our entire group up.&#8221;</p>
<p>Ovechkin suffered the injury during a November 18 game against the Utah Hockey Club, after colliding with Jack McBain. He took part in his full practice since the injury on Friday, and will factor back into the lineup Saturday.</p>
<p>&#8220;I think so, we&#8217;ll see,&#8221; Ovechkin said when asked if he&#8217;s playing Saturday against the Maple Leafs.</p>
<p>Ovechkin was off to a tremendous start to the season, recording 15 goals and 25 points in 18 games — his 15 goals led all NHL players at the time of the injury. All eyes are on Ovechkin as he inches closer towards breaking Wayne Gretzky&#8217;s all-time goals record, as Ovechkin trails Gretzky by 26 goals, with 868 for his career. It would appear unlikely that Ovechkin breaks the record this year, a previously unfathomable idea — but he was on a torrential pace, and it&#8217;s unwise to bet against The Great Eight.</p>
<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s our captain. He&#8217;s the greatest goal-scorer of all-time,&#8221; Carbery said. For him to come back into our lineup, it will be a good boost. I know the guys are welcoming that, and have been excited. As the days have betting getting closer, you can feel his presence around.&#8221;</p>
<p>Washington posted a 10-5-1 record without Ovechkin and have arguably been the NHL&#8217;s positive surprise team this season. The club ranks third in the NHL with 84 goals at 5-on-5 and Ovechkin&#8217;s return is a timely development for one of the NHL&#8217;s most potent attacks this season.</p>
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Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin will make his return to the lineup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, after missing more than a month with a fractured fibula, head coach Spencer Carbery confirmed.

"I think, the obvious one is his goal-scoring but the threat of him being able to score, it lifts up our entire group," Carbery said of Ovechkin's return. "Him being in the lineup, his presence, his infectious personality, his demeanour, him being on the ice, whether it's a power play, faceoff, 5-on-5, at any moment, everybody in the building, along with our 19 other players, believe that he can score. That lifts our entire group up."

Ovechkin suffered the injury during a November 18 game against the Utah Hockey Club, after colliding with Jack McBain. He took part in his full practice since the injury on Friday, and will factor back into the lineup Saturday.

"I think so, we'll see," Ovechkin said when asked if he's playing Saturday against the Maple Leafs.

Ovechkin was off to a tremendous start to the season, recording 15 goals and 25 points in 18 games — his 15 goals led all NHL players at the time of the injury. All eyes are on Ovechkin as he inches closer towards breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, as Ovechkin trails Gretzky by 26 goals, with 868 for his career. It would appear unlikely that Ovechkin breaks the record this year, a previously unfathomable idea — but he was on a torrential pace, and it's unwise to bet against The Great Eight.

"He's our captain. He's the greatest goal-scorer of all-time," Carbery said. For him to come back into our lineup, it will be a good boost. I know the guys are welcoming that, and have been excited. As the days have betting getting closer, you can feel his presence around."

Washington posted a 10-5-1 record without Ovechkin and have arguably been the NHL's positive surprise team this season. The club ranks third in the NHL with 84 goals at 5-on-5 and Ovechkin's return is a timely development for one of the NHL's most potent attacks this season.
<h2>Nation Gear Boxing Day Sale</h2>
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-115234" src="https://publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2099/08/boxingdayblue_article.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" />

From December 26th to 29th, we’re dropping our biggest sale of the year—and trust us, you don’t want to miss it. Here’s the lineup: 20% off all gear—yes, all gear. Hoodies, tees, hats—whatever you need to rep your team in style. Plus, free shipping on orders over $200, so you’re saving on both gear and delivery. This is your chance to stock up and save big while looking sharp in the best gear out there. But don’t wait—when this sale ends, it’s game over. <a href="https://nationgear.ca/">Head over to nationgear.ca right now to take advantage of these deals. Gear up. Save big.</a>

Alexander Ovechkin returns vs. Maple Leafs in 1st game since November 18

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