Ovechkin won't play in All-Star Game

Alex Ovechkin won't take part in the All-Star festivities in January, the Washington Capitals superstar told reporters, including the Washington Post's Samantha Pell, following a win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.

Ovechkin was named the Metropolitan Division captain for the event last Saturday.

"It’s a hard decision, obviously, being the captain and missing the All-Star Game, but (I) have to do (what's) best for me and for my team," he said, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.

It's the second straight year Ovechkin will sit out the midseason showcase, and he'll be forced to miss a regular-season game either right before or right after the break as a result.

St. Louis will host the 2020 All-Star weekend Jan. 24-26.