The Washington Capitals’ informal skates at MedStar Capitals Iceplex ahead of the start of training camp have slowly, but surely gotten bigger as more members of the team return from their respective offseason homes in preparation of the 2022-23 NHL regular season.

The Capitals welcomed a welcome face back to the ice this morning, as captain Alex Ovechkin, who returned from Russia a few days ago, joined his teammates in the informal skates ahead of his 18th season in the National Hockey League (all with Washington) and on the verge of history.

🐐🔙 pic.twitter.com/oU1W3IlOJT

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 9, 2022

Having become the NHL’s third all-time leading goal-scorer in 2021-22, a season which proved to be a trying one with the unfolding of events on the global stage, the soon-to-be 37-year old Ovechkin is within reach of tying and passing NHL great Gordie Howe for second in NHL history in Goals Scored.

Alex Ovechkin has joined the informal skates. #Caps pic.twitter.com/uGriOsVGzv

— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) September 9, 2022

Ovechkin, who signed a five-year contract ahead of last season, needs 20 more goals to reach the 800-mark for his career, and needs just two more than that to pass Howe for sole possession of second in the history of the league in Goals Scored. Looking ahead, he would sit below Wayne Gretzky, who leads all players in league history with 894 tallies.

The Capitals officially begin training camp on September 22, with their first preseason game scheduled for September 25 against the Buffalo Sabres.

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