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Ovechkin ready for Capitals opener as Carbery monitors early workload

Washington’s captain expects to face Carolina on Friday after missing the preseason; his coach will watch his minutes and power-play use.

Hockey.com
File photo: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin shoots as a Columbus defender attempts to block the puck at Nationwide Arena on April 14, 2026.
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What's newSpencer Carbery will monitor Ovechkin's early-season workload as the captain returns after missing the preseason.

Alex Ovechkin expects to play Friday when the Washington Capitals open their season in Carolina after missing all four preseason games with a lower-body injury. Coach Spencer Carbery plans to watch his deployment, ice time and power-play use early in the season as he returns to game speed.

Ovechkin told NHL.com on Wednesday that he felt fine after resuming full practices the previous Thursday. Washington had kept him out of its final two exhibitions as a precaution.

“I still love the game,” Ovechkin told NHL.com. He has not decided whether his 22nd NHL season will be his last.

The 41-year-old captain has 929 regular-season goals, the NHL record. He played all 82 games last season and led Washington with 32 goals and 64 points.

Ovechkin is set to play with centre Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard and retain a place on the first power-play unit. Carbery said he expects his captain to regain game speed quickly while monitoring his workload.

Friday’s opener starts at 7 p.m. ET. Washington then visits the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

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