Washington Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin is good to go for the playoffs. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Capitals star Alex Ovechkin to play in Game 1 vs. Panthers

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 5/3/22

The Washington Capitals begin what they hope will be a first-round upset against the Carolina Panthers in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday night. They've announced that they'll have future Hall of Fame forward Alex Ovechkin back on the ice for Game 1.

He's back. pic.twitter.com/uZcL2DeyMF
— x - Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 3, 2022

The 12-time All-Star missed the last three games of the regular season with an upper-body injury that he suffered on April 24 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ovechkin has racked up 71 goals and 135 points in his playoff career.

The 36-year-old registered his ninth career 50-goal campaign during the 2021-2022 regular season, finishing with exactly 50 scores to go along with 40 assists for 90 points in 77 contests. "Ovi" has also recorded at least 40 helpers seven times and 90 points on six occasions, but this was his first time reaching those milestones in 11 and 12 years, respectively.

The winner of the series pitting No. 1 Carolina and No. 4 Washington will take on the survivor of the Atlantic Division series between the second-seeded Toronto Maple Leafs and third-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning.

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