Spencer Carbery says Alex Ovechkin was rusty with the puck in the Capitals' season opener: 'Some situations you know he would like to do more with'

""I feel okay," Ovechkin said after the game to reporters. "First couple shifts, I try to find the rhythm. We take it. Obviously, we don't get a result.""

""Rusty with the puck, that's what I saw," Carbery said of Ovechkin's performance. "Had some good opportunities, some good looks, but some situations that you know he would like to do more with. It'll take some time, and he'll get back into it.""

""It's not quantity, it's quality with O now at this point in his career, so it's my job to find him that quality," Carbery said. "I have to make sure that his minutes are where they need to be, and we're utilizing him in the spots to use his strengths an"

Alex Ovechkin, 40, began his 21st NHL season after missing much of training camp with a lower-body injury and appearing in only two exhibition games. He was announced as the NHL's all-time goals leader and played at full speed but finished scoreless in a 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. Ovechkin recorded three shots on goal, nine shot attempts, one individual scoring chance, two hits, and drew a penalty. He skated 18:16, third among Capitals forwards, with six minutes and 22 seconds on the power play. Coach Spencer Carbery called him rusty with the puck and emphasized managing his minutes to prioritize quality over quantity as he regains form.

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