Greetings from Kettler Iceplex, where the Caps wrapped up a short optional practice about 90 minutes ago. Remember, this team is in the middle of another three-games-in-four nights stretch. First up: An update on injured winger Alex Ovechkin (upper-body strain), who took to the ice with a little more vigor today. Still no contact drills. And the thought has been that Ovechkin would need a few days of legitimate practice before returning to the ice for a real game. He disputed that today, though.
“It’s not about hitting. It’s some different things,” Ovechkin said. “I can make a hit. It’s not my shoulder, it’s [other] things…No, I can make some hits. It’s not going to bother me. But just curious to see what I have right now. Just need more couple days. I don’t need some game practice. Just go to the game and play this way.”
Still, Caps coach Bruce Boudreau used the word “questionable” with regards to Ovechkin for either Friday’s game against Minnesota or Saturday’s game at New Jersey: “Because if he was to play in New Jersey, we don’t play until Tuesday after that,” Boudreau said. “And if those three days are going to make it 100 percent better we’re going to wait the three days.”
No question, though, Ovechkin went harder at today’s practice. Where earlier in the week he was taking soft wrist shots and long clearing passes and dump-ins, on Thursday he was trying slap shots for the first time.
“Today was the first day I could feel like he was trying to shoot to score,” said Caps goalie Jose Theodore. “Before it was him just shooting to be out there. It wasn’t up to par. But today you could see him trying to do slappers and trying to shoot. I don’t think he’s there yet compared to his usual shot. But it was really a big improvement.”
Given all that I may revise my prediction. Seems like Ovechkin has a decent shot at playing Tuesday in Madison Square Garden vs. the Rangers. And he does love performing on that stage. If the Caps want to be really cautious then waiting until Friday at home against the Canadiens may be the best move. The Caps are 3-1 since Ovechkin got hurt Nov. 1 against Columbus so the slow and steady approach makes sense. They’ll just have to convince Alex that another few days of nachos and coke in the press box is a good thing.
