Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has tested positive for COVID-19, according to an announcement from the team. In addition to missing Wednesday's game against the Edmonton Oilers, Ovechkin won't participate in this weekend's NHL All-Star Game in Las Vegas.
According to the league COVID-19 protocols, Ovechkin must quarantine for five days. Following that period, he would need to register a negative PCR test.
Wednesday's game will mark the first that Ovechkin will miss this season.
Ovechkin was voted as the captain of the Metropolitan Division team for Saturday's All-Star Game. The 36-year old was also expected to participate in the hardest shot event during Friday's NHL All-Star Skills competition.
This is the 12th time Ovechkin has been selected to an All-Star Team and would have been his eighth appearance.
Ovechkin is in the midst of a spectacular season in which he has registered 58 points (29 goals and 29 assists), which is good for fifth in the NHL. Earlier this season, the Capitals winger passed Marcel Dionne and Brett Hull to move into fourth place on the league's all-time goals list. Ovechkin currently sits eight goals from passing Jaromir Jagr for the No. 3 spot on the all-time list.
Ovechkin, who is considered a Hart Trophy candidate this season, has gone scoreless in each of his last four games. The Capitals star logged 21:31 of ice time in Washington's 4-3 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.
