Capitals' Ovechkin: 'I'm probably going to play'

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin told reporters he will be in the team's lineup when the Capitals play the New York Islanders at home Tuesday.

"It looks like I'm probably going to play [Tuesday] and I'm happy to be back," Ovechkin said after practicing Monday

Ovechkin missed the Capitals' back-to-back games over the weekend with an upper-body injury sustained during a game against the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 28. On Monday he was a full participant in practice, skating at right wing on a line with center Nicklas Backstrom, with Brooks Laich at left wing.

Capitals coach Adam Oates said Ovechkin would be a game-time decision Tuesday.

"I wouldn't play him if I thought it was something that could linger," Oates said. "He'll be close to 100 percent to play. It doesn't make sense to play a guy with something that's lingering and I don't see that as the case."

Despite missing the two games, Ovechkin is third in the League with 10 goals and is second on the Capitals with 15 points. However, after watching his team beat the Philadelphia Flyers 7-0 on Friday and the Florida Panthers 3-2 in a shootout without him, Ovechkin said he was a bit hesitant to come back.

"They don't need me," he said, obviously joking. "They win two games. It's kind of scary to go back to a line and mess with the lines. We'll see."