Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery told reporters on Monday that he expects superstar Alex Ovechkin to be ready to go for the opening game of his 21st NHL season on Oct. 8.

Ovechkin missed a week of training camp with a lower-body injury, but the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer was back at full-contact practice on Monday for the first time since camp opened Sept. 18 -- the day after he turned 40. He left that practice soon after it began.

"I think so," Carbery said about whether the Russian legend will lace up the skates on opening night. "He's missed a significant amount of camp, but I know he's been training and skating and trying to do everything he possibly can at 40 years old to make sure that he's ready for opening night next Wednesday. So, I would expect (he'll be ready)

See Full Page