The Washington Capitals skated on Thursday morning at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, VA. After the positive news we got in the form of a Capital One Arena renovation coming up, we got more positive news in regards to team captain Alex Ovechkin.
While Ovechkin remained in his light blue non contact jersey, Ovechkin skated in drills. Lars Eller had a maintenance day and per Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post, Capitals coach Spencer Carbery noted that there's a chance Ovechkin could play Sunday or Monday.
While he won't play tomorrow night against the Carolina Hurricanes with Washington on home ice, he's getting close and the next step is to be cleared for contact. Ovechkin's return could come before the Christmas break.
Spencer Carbery said there’s a chance Alex Ovechkin could play Sunday or Monday. Won’t play tomorrow, hasn’t been cleared for contact yet, but he’s getting close. Could be before the Christmas break
— Bailey Johnson (@BaileyAJohnson_) December 19, 2024
"I'm not going to give a percentage or anything like that, but he's getting real close."
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 19, 2024
🗣️ Head coach Spencer Carbery pic.twitter.com/F2XDMC0orn
In other news the Capitals paid a visit after practice MedStar Georgetown University Hospital to spread some holiday cheer. Those players were Taylor Raddysh, Dylan McIlrath, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Martin Fehervary.
Raddy, Mac, PLD and Marty are here at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital to share some holiday cheer!#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/eL3IQ5pfsZ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 19, 2024
Santa’s elves got nothing on this crew pic.twitter.com/5EAm2pGyds
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 19, 2024
just imMACulate attention to detail here#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/TOLORXn5YL
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 19, 2024
Thank you to @MedStarHealth for welcoming us today and getting everyone into the Capsmas spirit.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/KTwGu6UT8O
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 19, 2024
But the big news of the day of course besides the other two we just mentioned was the official announcment about the upcoming renovation of Capital One Arena that will be a three season project that's already well underway.
Where Monuments Meet Momentum 🔨
— Monumental Sports & Entertainment (@MSE) December 19, 2024
Today, we celebrated a Monumental milestone for our organization and our city by officially beginning work on the brand-new @CapitalOneArena. pic.twitter.com/njETZv5wVn
The Capitals have proudly called Capital One Arena home since December 1997, establishing a home ice advantage with a record of 581-311-34-105 at COA which ranks fifth in the NHL.
Just last season, in November, the Caps celebrated their historic 1,000th regular season home win in franchise history by beating the Columbus Blue Jackets, becoming the 10th fastest team in NHL history to achieve this milestone.
Caps team captain Alex Ovechkin has played the most games, 717 to be exact, out of any professional athlete at 7th and F Street and leads the franchise in goals scored on home ice with 423.
MSE partnered with CAA ICON to serve as the overall project manager, Gensler on the design, and Clark Construction on the building construction. Per the press release, the design embraces the City's Gallery Place/Chinatown Task Force vision for a civic space along 7th Street NW and reinforces innerconnectivity from the Natonal Mall to the South and extends north to Shaw neighborhood. This project is a catalyst for Downtown DC as a vibrant, interconnected, walkable urban core."
Furthermore, thre will be a new People's Plaza that will establish a meaningful dialogue between the planning of the Portrait Gallery and the arena, creating a civic space that welcomes guests and activation year round.