Ovechkin was voted by fans as captain of the Metropolitan Division for the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Game at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday (3 p.m. ET; ABC, SN, TVAS). He also will miss the 2022 NHL All-Stars Skills presented by DraftKings Sportsbook on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS).
Ovechkin will be replaced on the Metropolitan Division roster by Capitals forward Tom Wilson, and Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux will be the Metropolitan Division captain.
It was the eighth time Ovechkin has been selected to play in the All-Star Game, most among the players that will be participating in Las Vegas.
Ovechkin did not play in the Capitals' 5-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.
"I'm sure he's extremely disappointed," Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said. "He's disappointed first and foremost that he's not in the game tonight, that he's not playing. I've never seen a guy that does everything possible to get into a game and hates coming out of games and hates not being able to contribute and help his team win. For that first and foremost, he's probably upset.
"The All-Star Game, it's a nice nod, but he's certainly one of those big figures that goes to the All-Star Game. Well deserved this year on the nod. I'm sure he's upset."
Ovechkin is tied with Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews for third in the NHL with 29 goals in 46 games, behind New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider (33) and Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (31), and is fifth with 58 points.
Ovechkin missed four games last season (Jan. 22-28) in COVID-19 protocol.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, who was voted captain of the Central Division, also will miss the All-Star Game after he sustained a concussion and facial fracture against the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 28.
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi was added to the Central Division roster to replace MacKinnon, and Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski was named captain.
Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov previously was added to the Metropolitan Division roster to replace New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox, who is on injured reserve because of an upper-body injury sustained Jan. 27.
Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault was added to the Pacific Division roster Wednesday.
NHL.com staff writer Tom Gulitti contributed to this report
