Alex Ovechkin is set to be in the lineup when the Washington Capitals open the season Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes, and the veteran winger says he’s good to go.
“Of course, maybe it’s going to be hard the first couple of games because I didn’t play in pre-season games and my training the last week was not what I expected and how I expected it,” Ovechkin said Wednesday, per NHL.com. “But overall, I feel fine.”
Ovechkin missed all of Washington’s preseason games, but he has been a full participant in practice since last Thursday. He said the choice came down to staying healthy.
“It is what it is,” Ovechkin said. “I’d rather feel healthy during the year than get some more injuries in the pre-season.”
Now entering his age-41 season, Ovechkin is preparing for his 22nd NHL campaign since the Capitals selected him first overall in the 2004 NHL Draft. He’s back in Washington on a one-year, $4.25 million contract after weighing retirement during the offseason.
Even without preseason game action, the production was there last year. Ovechkin played all 82 games, scored 32 goals and finished with 64 points. He also dealt with a similar issue a year ago, when he missed the first four games of the preseason.
Wednesday’s practice gave him at least one encouraging sign heading into the opener.
“Today was a good pace practice and we’ll take it,” Ovechkin said of the session. “I think we’re all excited the first game is going to be against the Stanley Cup champs, so it’s going to be a good battle for us.”
That opener comes against a Carolina team that finished atop the Eastern Conference and beat the Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup. The Capitals took two of three meetings from the Hurricanes last season.
Ovechkin also pointed to the schedule ahead, with Washington facing a demanding stretch right away.
“If you ask any questions to anybody, the start is very important for us mentally-wise and we’re not going to have an easy schedule at the beginning,” Ovechkin said. “We’re going to play back-to-back against Carolina and then Tampa, so it’s going to be a good challenge.”
Washington finished 43-30-9 last season and missed the playoffs by three points, ending up just behind the eighth-seeded Philadelphia Flyers in a crowded Eastern Conference.
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