Alex Ovechkin is poised to make his return to the Washington Capitals after a five-week absence due to a broken left leg, raising excitement around his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record. Ovechkin, who led the NHL with 15 goals in just 18 games prior to his injury, is now 27 goals shy of Gretzky's legendary mark of 894. His potential return comes as the Capitals prepare to face the Toronto Maple Leafs, with coach Spencer Carbery indicating that Ovechkin's progress in practice has been promising.

Despite Ovechkin's absence, the Capitals have continued to perform well, winning 10 of the 15 games he missed, and currently sit second in the Eastern Conference. Teammate John Carlson noted the opportunity for other players to step up in Ovechkin's absence, emphasizing the team's depth as a key strength this season. The Capitals' roster has shown resilience and adaptability, with players taking on larger roles to fill the void left by their star forward.

Ovechkin's durability over his 20-year career is noteworthy, having missed only 50 games due to injury. His physical style of play has been a hallmark of his career, and fellow winger Tom Wilson praised Ovechkin's relentless approach on the ice. Following the matchup against Toronto, the Capitals will face the Detroit Red Wings and then return home to take on the Boston Bruins, as Ovechkin looks to inch closer to breaking Gretzky's record.