Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal late in the third period, helping the Capitals secure a 5–2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena and bagging his 869th career goal, leaving him just 25 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894.

Ovechkin, who suffered a broken left fibula in November, practiced in full on Friday and could play as soon as Saturday in Toronto.

Alex Ovechkin is set to return to the Washinton Capitals lineup after fracturing his left fibula five weeks ago, meaning his quest to break Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record continues.

Alex Ovechkin returned to the Washington Capitals' lineup Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, sitting 27 goals away from passing Wayne Gretzky's career mark of 894.

Ovechkin, who suffered a broken left fibula in November, and the Capitals will face the Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

The quest to be the all-time goal scoring champion resumes on Saturday night. After fracturing his fibula on Nov. 18 versus the Utah Hockey Club, Alex Ovechkin is astonishingly set to take the ice less than seven weeks later.

TORONTO -- Alex Ovechkin scored in his return after missing the past 16 games with a broken leg for the Washington Capitals in a 5-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. The Capitals went 10-5-1 without Ovechkin, who last played on Nov. 18.

Alex Ovechkin, who has been sidelined since breaking his fibula Nov. 18, will continue his pursuit of the NHL's career scoring record when he returns to the Capitals' lineup Saturday against the Maple Leafs.