Alex Ovechkin, the standout player for the Washington Capitals, is geared up to continue his chase for Wayne Gretzky’s goal record and support his team’s quest for the top spot in the league.

The Capitals confirmed that Ovechkin, age 39, will return to the ice on Saturday night to face the Toronto Maple Leafs, marking his comeback after suffering a fractured left fibula on November 18.

He has been gradually working his way back since December 2, starting with light skating in a tracksuit, increasing the intensity of his practices, and eventually participating in non-contact drills with the team. Last week, he was cleared for contact.

“It was a tough month,” Ovechkin shared with reporters. “I was working out, watching the games, always wanting to help my teammates succeed. It was definitely a challenging time.”

At the time of his injury, Ovechkin was the NHL’s leading scorer, having netted 15 goals in just 18 games, including five goals in two games before his injury.

Details of Alex Ovechkin’s Injury

Ovechkin was injured during a game on November 18, when he was accidentally hit by Utah Hockey Club defenseman Jack McBain, resulting in a leg-on-leg collision. He was diagnosed with a broken leg three days later and was expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks, missing five games in total.

Games Missed by Alex Ovechkin

Ovechkin missed 16 games during his recovery. The Capitals managed a 10-5-1 record during his absence and entered Saturday’s match just three points behind in the Metropolitan Division and overall standings.

“The team played really well without me,” he noted. “They’ve been on a roll, so I know the game speed and intensity will be different from practice. I just need to play smart and follow the right approach.”

Ovechkin’s Career Goal Count

As of now, Ovechkin has scored 868 career goals, leaving him just 27 goals away from surpassing Gretzky’s long-standing record of 894 goals set in 1999.

This article has been updated to include new information.