Capitals issue statement on the possibility of Alexander Ovechkin being healthy scratched to rest for playoffs

The Washington Capitals don't look like the team that won a Stanley Cup in 2018. The makeup of the lineup is different, and the Head Coach Spencer Carberry has a different style than Barry Trotz.

With the Capitals on the cusp of a playoff run, could Ovechkin's fortunes change? He's within eight goals of Wayne Gretzky's All-Time Goal's Scored Record, and load management could affect the "Gr8 Chase".

Could Spencer Carberry limit Ovechkin's minutes who is way past his prime, at 39 years old?

As it stands now, Head Coach Spencer Carberry plans on keeping Ovechkin in the lineup as the team needs his help down the stretch.

The bench isn't for the 39-year-old elite goal scorer.

Ovechkin silenced his haters and doubters after a less-than-stellar season which saw him post eight goals in 43 games, old-man time hasn't come for him yet.

He'd return to form this season posting 34 goals in 52 games, even after missing a month after breaking his fibula in November when he collided with the Utah HC's Jack McBain.

Ovechkin has scored 56 points (34 goals, 22 assists) in 52 games with the Capitals.

Part of the Capitals core who won a Stanley Cup still remains, but are they the ones who could keep the prospects, rookies, and veterans in the game when it matters the most?