Capitals Notebook: Ovechkin Won't Play Until After Holiday Break, Eller Out Due To Illness

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will have to wait until after Christmas to make his return from a broken leg that's kept him out for just over a month.

Head coach Spencer Carbery told reporters on Friday that Ovechkin, who upgraded to full contact on Friday, will not play until after the holiday break.

"He’s been cleared for contact, so he can resume activities with the main group. We won’t see him before the break, so the target will become some time after the break," Carbery said, adding, "We won’t see him in these next three (games)."

That would put Ovechkin on pace to return Dec. 28 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It'd be a fitting game for the 39-year-old; he loves a big stage and playing in Toronto, and even better, the game is on Hockey Night In Canada.

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Ovechkin has not played since fracturing his left fibula in an inadvertent collision with Jack McBain on Nov. 18 in a win over Utah Hockey Club.

While there had initially been hope that Ovechkin could play Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings or Monday at the Boston Bruins, his return will have to wait until after the NHL's holiday roster freeze, which ends on Dec. 28.

Before his injury, Ovechkin led the NHL with 15 goals through 18 games. He is just 27 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, and if he returns for the Toronto game, he would still be on pace to pass that total by the end of the season.

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Getting Ovechkin back will be a welcome boost for Washington, who has dropped the last two decisions but has otherwise been able to maintain a winning record without the captain in tow.

In other news, Lars Eller has gone on the injured reserve and will miss the next three games before the holiday break with an illness. Hendrix Lapierre will be the third-line center in his place.

The Capitals play again on Friday when they take on the Carolina Hurricanes.