ARLINGTON, Va. -- Evgeny Kuznetsov was a full participant in practice with the Washington Capitals on Thursday and it appears likely he'll return to their lineup against the New Jersey Devils on Friday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, TVAS, NBCSWA+, MSG+, NHL.TV).

The center has missed six games with an upper-body injury, sustained in a 3-1 loss at the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 14.

Coach Todd Reirden said the decision on whether Kuznetsov will play against the Devils will be made Friday; he has yet to be cleared medically to play.

Kuznetsov, who has 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 18 games this season, has had no setbacks since resuming skating Monday. He practiced with the Capitals wearing a light blue no-contact jersey on Wednesday and practiced in a regular red jersey Thursday, when he centered a line with forwards Jakub Vrana and Brett Connolly.

"Good step in the progress today, for sure, going through full practice," Reirden said. "We'll see how he is tomorrow. It was good to see him out there today, that's for sure."

Though forward Alex Ovechkin did not practice Thursday because of maintenance for an upper-body injury, Reirden said he said he expects the Washington captain to play Friday. Ovechkin, whose 18 goals are one off the NHL lead shared by Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine, Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner and Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak, hasn't missed a game since he sat out the final game of the 2015-16 season to rest for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Defenseman Michal Kempny (upper body) and forward Devante Smith-Pelly (lower body) each returned to practice after not practicing with the Capitals on Wednesday and are expected to play against the Devils.

Forward T.J. Oshie, who has also been out since Nov. 14 with an upper-body injury, has yet to resume skating and remains day to day, Reirden said.