MOSCOW, January 7 (R-Sport) - Dynamo Moscow's NHL trio of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Leo Komarov have flown back to the United States for the long-awaited start of the post-lockout season.

The three were among more than 40 NHL players to move to the KHL during the lockout.

Sunday's resolution of the labor dispute triggered release clauses in their contracts, obliging them to return for the start of play.

"Due to the end of the lockout in the NHL, these players have flown across the ocean," a statement on Dynamo's website said Monday.

Ovechkin and Backstrom are to rejoin the Washington Capitals, while Komarov will reassume his place with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The three players have proved crucial to Dynamo's push to retain the Gagarin Cup, accounting for 64 of the team's 103 goals this season and providing 44 assists between them.

They leave Dynamo third in the Western Conference, four points behind St. Petersburg leader SKA.

NHL play is expected to start in the next two weeks.