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Getting some rest: Ovechkin, Backstrom, Carlson and Orpik won’t play on Sunday

John Carlson, Alex Ovechkin, Troy Brouwer, Marcus Johansson, Nicklas Backstrom,

Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson, left, right wing Alex Ovechkin, from Russia, right wing Troy Brouwer, center Marcus Johansson, from Sweden, and center Nicklas Backstrom, from Sweden, celebrate Johnansson’s goal in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

AP

Ahhhh the benefits of clinching the top seed in the division, conference and league.

The Washington Capitals will get to rest some of their players in Sunday’s meaningless tilt against the Anaheim Ducks.

The Caps will sit Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Brooks Orpik against the Ducks, while Jay Beagle misses the game because of a lower-body injury. Braden Holtby, who had a chance to set a new single-season record for wins, will serve as the backup to Philipp Grubauer.

Washington hasn’t been injury-free this year, but it’s remarkable to see how many players have played a full 82-game season.

The Capitals will open the playoffs later on this week against the Philadelphia Flyers.

For the first time in his career, Ovechkin won’t lead to Capitals in points. That honor will go to Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Their opponents, the Anaheim Ducks, will certainly appreciate Washington’s desire to rest players. A Ducks win would move them into first place in the Pacific Division.

The Ducks sent John Gibson and Ryan Kesler back home after yesterday’s game in Denver. Both players are dealing with lower-body injuries.

Related:

--Going with Grubauer: Holtby won’t get an opportunity to break Brodeur’s record

--Playoff matchup set: Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers