Capitals Notebook: Ovechkin & Milano Miss Practice, Carlson Making More Progress

After an off day to spend time with their mentors as part of the annual Mentors' Trip, the Washington Capitals were back on the ice for a Monday practice at Madison Square Garden, but a couple of names were missing from the mix.

Alex Ovechkin did not skate as he took a maintenance day, while Sonny Milano sat out with a non-COVID illness, the team said via The Washington Post's Roman Stubbs. Everyone else was accounted for, and there is no word yet on whether the absence from practice will impact Ovechkin or Milano's availability for Tuesday's tilt with the New York Rangers.

Meanwhile, John Carlson continues his progress and was putting in more work as he took reps working on the top power-play unit. He is still in a non-contact sweater, but seeing him get back into the rhythm of his usual responsibilities is promising.

While he is back skating with the group, a return is still off in the distance for No. 74, who has not played since taking a slapshot to the face back on Dec. 23. Still, the team is hoping to get serious by the end of the month about Carlson getting back in the mix to close out the regular season. The standings or playoff circumstances will not factor into whether or not he makes his return.

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The mentors were also in the building to take a group photo with the team following the skate at MSG. Every player is on the trip, including the likes of Carl Hagelin and Connor Brown.

Washington will be back in action on Tuesday against the Rangers before heading back on Wednesday for a tilt with the Buffalo Sabres for the second game of a back-to-back. After that, there will be more key divisional matchups as the team looks to gain some ground in the playoff race.