Alex Ovechkin is returning to the Washington Capitals' lineup Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks after missing four games on personal leave, head coach Peter Laviolette confirmed, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.

The Capitals captain had been away from the team since Feb. 14 following the death of his father, Mikhail.

Ovechkin has 32 goals and 54 points through 54 contests this season. The 37-year-old is 82 tallies away from matching Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL record of 894 career goals.

Washington is sixth in the Metropolitan Division with a 28-25-6 record. The Capitals are two points behind the Florida Panthers for the second wild-card position in the Eastern Conference.

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