The Washington Capitals are looking to head into the NHL All-Star break on a strong note, wrapping up their first half of the season with a matchup against the Edmonton Oilers. The Capitals will be without a key player for the clash, however, as Alex Ovechkin is set to be sidelined for the game following a positive COVID-19 test. Unfortunately for the Caps' star, his positive test will also cause him to miss the All-Star Game, the Capitals revealed.

The 2022 NHL All-Star Game is set to be hosted in Las Vegas, NV on Saturday, Feb. 5. Due to Ovechkin's recent positive COVID-19 test, he simply would not have enough time in between his positive test and the game to take part.

While fans will be disappointed that Ovechkin won't be in Las Vegas for the festivities, the Russian superstar himself might not be too bummed. Ovechkin opted to skip the NHL's previous All-Star Game in 2020 (there was not an All-Star Game in 2021) in order to rest for the second half of the season. He was subsequently suspended for one game as a result of his decision to skip the game.

Ovechkin had been voted by NHL fans to be one of the four All-Star captains, joining Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid, and Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon is also unable to play in the game after suffering a facial injury in late January, and has been replaced by Dallas Stars' Joe Pavelski as the Central Division captain.