Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was a participant in the team’s practice on Monday. Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson, who also missed the last game against the Flyers, also participated in the team’s practice.

On the ice for Monday’s #Caps practice:
-Ovechkin LBI
-Backstrom LBI
-Carlson LBI
-Wilson LBI

Not on the ice:
-Oshie LBI
-Kuznetsov Covid protocol
-Samsonov Covid protocol

— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) May 10, 2021

Laviolette told 106.7 The Fan on Monday morning that he believes Ovechkin will be ready for the playoffs.

Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette said on @JunksRadio this morning that he still believes Alex Ovechkin will be ready for playoffs. Ovechkin may be a full participant in this morning’s practice. #ALLCAPS

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 10, 2021

Ovechkin played a just 39 seconds last Monday against the Rangers before he exited the game and didn’t return. He would miss all of Wednesday’s game against the Rangers and both games against the Flyers this weekend.

Capitals lines at Monday practice:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Mantha
Sheary-Eller-Raffl
Sprong-Maillet-Wilson
Hagelin-Dowd-Hathaway
Carr

Orlov-Schultz
Dillon-TvR
Chara-Jensen
Fehervary-Carlson

Vanecek
Anderson
Fucale

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) May 10, 2021

Ovechkin was originally listed “day-to-day” on Friday, April 23, with a lower body injury that he sustained in the third period of the Capitals first game with the Islanders on April 22. He appeared to pull up (right leg) as he rushed the puck through the neutral zone with 2:49 remaining in regulation.

Ovechkin ultimately did not skate in the overtime period but remained on the bench. He did not participate in the Capitals’ optional practice the following day and would miss the next four games before giving it a try last Monday.

The Capitals wrap-up their regular season schedule Tuesday night when they host the Boston Bruins at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.

By Jon Sorensen
Follow @nova_caps