Alex Ovechkin will skip the NHL's All-Star Weekend on Jan. 25-26 in San Jose to get extra rest, which means he will serve a one-game suspension by league rules.
The Capitals announced his decision Wednesday before release of the All-Star rosters.
"My body needs a rest," Ovechkin said.
The 33-year-old Russian has played in 202 consecutive regular-season games and leads the NHL with 29 goals in 33 games this season.
Fans voted Ovechkin the captain of the Metropolitan Division team.
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