Alex Ovechkin Returns To Capitals Tuesday Night

When Alexander Ovechkin returns to NHL action tonight against the New York Rangers, he is likely to play a different role on the Capitals’ power play, reports Corey Masisak.

Before missing six games with an “upper body strain,” Ovechkin played the power play point with Mike Green. With Ovechkin out, Brendan Morrison has filled his spot, and the Capitals’ power play has been operating at a torrid 46.2% success rate. Masisak also notes that with Morrison playing the point position, the Capitals have surrendered fewer shorthanded opportunities.

Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau is optimistic that Ovechkin will return Tuesday:

According to Corey Masisak, Ovechkin is back on the ice:

Ovechkin is closer to returning to game action and could play tomorrow night against the New York Rangers. The Capitals are 4-2-0 since he was injured on November 1.

Talking with reporters after practice, Alexander Ovechkin has upgraded himself to day-to-day, reports Corey Masisak via Twitter.

Of course, given Ovechkin’s previous joking with reporters about the amount of time he will miss, we cannot be entirely sure that he will return until he steps out onto the ice for a game. Ovechkin did note, however, that were this the playoffs, he would be playing.

And just like that, we’ve gone from Ovechkin being out 4-5 weeks to the Caps possibly getting him back this weekend. Here’s what the team’s GM George McPhee said following Monday’s practice:

As we noted earlier in this stream, Ovie is already out for Wednesday. The Caps’ next two games after that are Friday against the Wild and Saturday against the Devils.

Once again, Washington Times’ Corey Masisak:

Whether or not Ovechkin misses 4-5 weeks as he claims remains to be seen, but we know for certain that the Caps’ superstar will not play this Wednesday against the Islanders. Head coach Bruce Boudreau made the announcement Monday, according to Washington Times’ Corey Masisak.

Ovie was back out on the ice, however. After the rest of the team was finished practicing, he got his own, clean sheet of ice to skate around on. Such are the perks of being the greatest hockey player in the world.

Alex Ovechkin says he’s out “4-5 weeks.” The Washington Capitals say he’s just “week-to-week.” So who’s right? Comcast’s Russ Thaler has a theory. Check that. He has a conspiracy theory.

So why would Ovi say he’s our for at least a month, while the team downplays it?

Alexander Ovechkin gave an interview to Dmitri Chesnokov from SovSport and Puck Daddy. Here is what he had to say about his upper body injury:

I guess what Ovechkin says would be the truth right? Well, Japers’ Rink, our Washington Capitals blog, has a direct quote from the team saying this:

This tweet comes from Washington Times’ Corey Masisak:

So, yeah: Still nothing official on Ovechkin’s injury — or even what part of his upper body is injured — but it’s hard to imagine their coach would speculate on how long Ovie will be out without some knowledge of the situation.

This according to the Capitals’ official Twitter feed:

Meanwhile, we have plenty of time to speculate. Greg Wyshynski over at Puck Daddy does just that and relays the news that he hears it is a left shoulder injury from those in the know.

Ovechkin spoke to the media after tonight’s loss but was less-then-forthcoming in details about the extent of his injury.

Speculation seems to be that its an aggravated shoulder of some kind but nothing too serious. Ovechkin is day-to-day until further information is released by the team.

More on this as it comes in.