Capitals coach Peter Laviolette announced Thursday that Alex Ovechkin will play on Thursday for the first time since going home to Russia after the death of his father, Mikhail Ovechkin. He last played on Feb. 14.
The Capitals have gone 0–4 since Ovechkin left, including a blowout loss to the Hurricanes at the Stadium Series game. The winger leads his team in points with 54 on the season and they sorely need him back as they try to maintain their footing with a 28-25-6 record.
