“Of course, maybe it’s going to be hard the first couple of games because I didn’t play in preseason games and my training the last week was not what I expected and how I expected it,” Ovechkin said Wednesday. “But overall, I feel fine.”
Ovechkin, who is set to begin his 22nd NHL season, didn’t skate for three consecutive days last week because of the injury, which he said occurred during training camp. The 41-year-old left wing has been a full participant in practice since last Thursday, but Washington held him out of its final two preseason games as a precaution.
“It is what it is,” Ovechkin said. “I’d rather feel healthy during the year than get some more injuries in the preseason.”
Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer with 929, went a through similar situation during training camp last season when a lower-body injury kept him out of Washington’s first four preseason games.
He returned to play the final two preseason games and then played all 82 regular-season games, leading the Capitals with 32 goals and 64 points.
With training camp being approximately a week shorter and the preseason being cut to four games this season, Ovechkin had less time to recover, but he said he feels good now.
Ovechkin practiced again Wednesday on a line with center Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard.
Washington will practice at home Thursday before heading to Carolina to open its season.
“Today was a good-pace practice and we’ll take it,” Ovechkin said. “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.”
The Capitals will be tested right away, taking on the Hurricanes, who lost 1-0 in overtime to the Florida Panthers in their season opener Tuesday, before visiting the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
“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.”
