Some light skating ahead of Tuesday's practice surprised everyone as the star player is making quick progress with his recovery.
Ovechkin broke his fibula after a collision with Jack McBain in the Capitals 6-2 win over Utah on November 18th, a game in which he had two goals. He was marked to be out for four to six weeks since the injury, but seeing him back on the ice is even surprising to his teammates.
"I don't think he's real, to be honest," Capitals center Pierre-Luc Dubois said. "It's been two weeks with a broken leg and he's back on the ice. He's a machine. ... It's great to see him back on the ice. He was happy when he got off, all excited. We were all excited. So, it's a great sign, a step in the right direction."
Ovechkin was on pace to shatter Wayne Gretzy's all-time goal record this season, which some thought he might be able to do before the NHL tradeline with the pace he was going. He currently has 15 goals and 10 assists in 18 games this season.
The Capitals lost their first two games without Ovechkin but are now riding an NHL-best four-game winning streak. The team's upcoming game against the San Jose Sharks will mark Ovi's seventh straight missed game, which will make it a career-high for the veteran.