Head coach Peter Laviolette announced after the Washington Capitals’ morning skate that captain Alex Ovechkin will return against the Anaheim Ducks at Capital One Arena on Thursday (7 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington in-market, ESPN+ out-of-market). The 37-year-old has missed the past four games due to the death of his father.
Alex Ovechkin will return to the lineup tonight vs. ANA. Anthony Mantha will go on IR, retro to Tuesday to make room. #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) February 23, 2023
Ovechkin went straight to Washington’s optional practice on Wednesday after arriving from his trip to Moscow, Russia.
As a result of Ovechkin’s return tonight, the Capitals placed Anthony Mantha on the injured reserve list.
#ALLCAPS have placed Anthony Mantha on IR and activated Alex Ovechkin off Active Non-Roster. https://t.co/NquKP2xwuU
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) February 23, 2023
Ovechkin leads the team with 32 goals and 54 points in 54 games this season.
Washington has lost five straight games in regulation and enter Thursday’s game two points back of the Florida Panthers for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand.
By Harrison Brown
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