ARLINGTON, Va. -- Alex Ovechkin will play for the first time this preseason when the Washington Capitals host the Boston Bruins at Capital One Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, NESN).

Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leader with 897 goals, was recovering from a lower-body injury that caused him to leave practice a few minutes into the first day of training camp Sept. 18. The 40-year-old left wing resumed skating last week and was cleared for full contract in practice on Monday.

Playing his first game of the preseason is the next step for Ovechkin, who is preparing for his 21st NHL season. Washington hosts Boston again in the season opener for each team on Oct. 8 (7:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT).

“I’m excited to see him tonight get out there and get a game under his belt, start to get some

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