Ovechkin returns to lineup for Capitals' Game 1 win vs. Panthers

Alexander Ovechkin returned to the lineup for Game 1 of the Washington Capitals' first-round series against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.

The captain logged one assist in over 17 minutes of ice time en route to Washington's 4-2 upset victory.

Ovechkin missed the final three games of the regular season after suffering an upper-body injury against the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 24.

The 36-year-old said Monday he feels good and that he could have played in Washington's final three games if they were playoff contests, according to The Washington Post's Samantha Pell.

Ovechkin led the Capitals with 50 goals and 90 points in 77 contests this season.

Goaltender Vitek Vanecek started during Washington's playoff opener. He authored a .938 save percentage against the Presidents' Trophy winners.

Vanecek managed a .908 save percentage and 2.67 goals-against average in 42 regular-season games this campaign.