Ovechkin to skip all-star game
Alex Ovechkin has decided to skip NHL all-star weekend in San Jose to get some extra rest and as a result will serve an automatic onegame suspension.
The Washington Capitals announced his decision Wednesday, saying the league’s leading goal-scorer wants to take advantage of the adjoining bye week to prepare for the second half of the season.
“My body needs a rest,” he said after practice Wednesday.
The 33-year-old has played in all 33 of his team’s games this season and leads the Capitals with 45 points.
Washington’s final game before the all-star break is Jan. 23 at Toronto.
The all-star game is Jan. 26, and the Capitals don’t play again until Feb. 1 at home to Calgary.
Deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed Ovechkin must miss either the game before or after the all-star break.
The NHL recently instituted an automatic one-game suspension for players who chose not to participate in All-Star Weekend, except in cases of injury.
Fans voted Ovechkin, the reigning playoff MVP, as the captain of the Metropolitan Division all-star team. It’s not clear who would take over the spot, though the NHL’s hockey operations department chooses the remaining all-stars.
Full all-star rosters were released on Wednesday night.