Capitals’ Ovechkin, Panthers’ Ekblad could be good to go
Alex Ovechkin and Aaron Ekblad both practiced on Sunday. Those are excellent developments for the Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers.
All signs point to Ovechkin being in the lineup for Game 1 of an Eastern Conference first-round series against the Panthers on Tuesday night after missing the final three games of the regular season with what the team is calling an upper-body injury. And Ekblad, who missed Florida’s final 21 games with a knee injury, seems like he could be back for Game 1 as well.
Ovechkin skated on Washington’s top line at practice Sunday alongside Evgeny Kuznetsov and Conor Sheary and reported feeling good. The 36-year-old Russian superstar thinks he would’ve played the past week if they were playoff games.
Ekblad — Florida’s top defenseman — being able to take part in a fullfledged practice gave the Panthers a boost.
Florida interim coach Andrew Brunette said there’s a chance Ekblad plays Tuesday.
Ovechkin slammed into the boards left shoulder first last Sunday against Toronto and did not return. After getting some time to rest, he looked no worse for the wear in the Capitals’ first pre-playoff practice.
“He had a good day,” Washington coach Peter Laviolette said. “He didn’t shy away from anything, so we hope he keeps moving forward.”
Ovechkin has only missed 27 games during his 17-year NHL career and none in the playoffs. He scored 50 goals this past season.
Penguins will be minus goalie Jarry
The Pittsburgh Penguins will begin their first-round playoff matchup with the New York Rangers without Tristan Jarry, though they haven’t ruled out the All-Star goalie’s return before the end of the series.
Head coach Mike Sullivan characterized Jarry as “day to day” but indicated Jarry would not be available when the best-of-seven series opens in New York on Tuesday. Jarry hasn’t played since being diagnosed with a lower-body injury on April 14.
Casey DeSmith will get the nod when the Penguins head to Madison Square Garden.
Jets wrap up season with home victory
Kyle Connor scored his 47th goal of the season at 9:05 of the third period to rally the Winnipeg Jets to a season-ending 4-3 win over the visiting Seattle Kraken on Sunday.
Morgan Barron, Blake Wheeler and Dominic Toninato also scored for Winnipeg (39-32-11), which missed the playoffs but finished with a perfect fourgame homestand.