Alex Ovechkin will not be attending the NHL All-Star Game this weekend due to a lower-body injury, according to an announcement from the Washington Capitals following their overtime loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday.
The Capitals said the injury would be best served with rest.
“We made this difficult decision after taking into consideration what we felt was best for Alex and our organization,” said Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan in a statement.
“Alex has been an incredible ambassador for our team and the league, but we believe it is better if he uses this time to heal and ideally be completely healthy for the duration of the season.”
Trotz says Ovechkin has been bothered by his injury since November
— Chuck Gormley (@CharlesAGormley) January 28, 2016
Ovechkin on missing the ASG: "It’s hard, because I like to show up, I like the show and do some show, but it sucks."
— Katie Brown (@katiebhockey) January 28, 2016
The Capitals have listed Ovechkin as day-to-day, but he will be required to sit out Washington’s first game back from the break versus Florida on Feb. 2.
Ovechkin didn’t have a point Wednesday, but he did have six shots and five hits. He also has 28 goals and 42 points this season.