Ovechkin to miss All-Star Game due to COVID, Wilson named replacement

Washington Capitals superstar forward Alex Ovechkin is out for Wednesday's clash versus the Edmonton Oilers and will miss All-Star Weekend after testing positive for COVID-19, the team announced.

Teammate Tom Wilson will replace Ovechkin in the Metropolitan Division All-Star squad, while Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux will take over the "C," the league announced.

Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault has been added to the Pacific Division outfit as well.

Wilson is having the best offensive season of his career with 31 points in 42 contests while averaging nearly 20 minutes per night.

Ovechkin is in the midst of an MVP-caliber campaign. The 36-year-old is fifth in the league with 58 points and third with 29 goals. He's been to seven All-Star Games in his career and was suspended one game for skipping the event in 2020.

All-Star Weekend begins Feb. 4.