Alex Ovechkin returns with goal for Capitals against Maple Leafs

TORONTO — Alex Ovechkin’s record chase is back on.

His empty-net goal for the Washington Capitals in Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs wasn’t the most challenging goal among the 869 he’s scored in the NHL, but it was significant given his return from a 16-game hiatus due to injury.

“Every goal is hard to score in this league, so if you want to try, put on skates and go six on five,” Ovechkin quipped after the game.

Washington’s captain moved closer to Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 career goals. Ovechkin was 25 back with 46 games remaining in the regular season.

Ovechkin played his first game since fracturing his left fibula Nov. 18 in a game against the Utah Hockey Club.

The 39-year-old said it didn’t take long for him to get back in rhythm.

“I tried to feel how I feel with the puck, mentally, physically. And as soon as the first shift ended, I was feeling like ‘OK, now I could play,’” he said.

Ovechkin wasn’t quite firing on all cylinders, however. He was held off the scoresheet until scoring his empty-net goal on a breakaway late in the third period.

He had three hits and three shots on goal in 14 minutes, 58 seconds of ice time.

But the atmosphere surrounding the Russian superstar picked up right where it left off before his injury, said Capitals forward Tom Wilson.

“I’m sure you guys are excited. We’re excited when he’s walking out to the ice. People are like climbing on top of each other to get videos of him. He’s taking the hockey world on a crazy ride right now, and it’s rock star stuff,” Wilson said.

“He’s the man and we love him in here and he was flying for that goal. Nice to see him get back on track here.”

Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said Toronto’s game plan didn’t change when Ovechkin’s return was confirmed by Capitals counterpart Spencer Carbery earlier in the day.

“When he’s playing, we’ve got to do a good job on him, and I thought we…