Ovechkin taking pass on all-star weekend

Alex Ovechkin will skip the NHL’s all-star weekend in San Jose to get some extra rest and serve an automatic one-game suspension. The Washington Capitals said 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,” Ovechkin said. The 33-year-old has played in all 38 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 against 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 choose not to participate in all-star weekend, except in cases of injury.