Caps push for Ovechkin vote, saying he wants to go to All-Star Game originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
On the surface, it should be a no-brainer. Of course, Alex Ovechkin should be voted as captain of the Metropolitan Division All-Star team. In 29 games, he has 21 goals and 25 assists. He is in a dead heat with Leon Draisaitl for the league-lead in goals and with Draisaitl and Connor McDavid for the league lead in points. Ovechkin is 10 years older than Draisaitl and 12 years older than McDavid.
If the season ended today, Ovechkin should be voted as the MVP, not just an all-star captain. But after opting out of each of the past two All-Star games in 2019-and 2020 (there was no game in 2021), it is understandable why fans may be skeptical and not all that motivated to vote for him.
The Capitals pushed for the vote on Twitter Wednesday, however, and Tweeted out that the Great 8 indeed does want to participate this year.
Ovechkin has participated in the All-Star Game seven times but cited the need for rest in recent years as a reason not to participate. This year's All-Star Game comes in early February. As of now, the season is scheduled to pause for the All-Star break and pause for another two weeks for the Olympics immediately after.
With the pandemic once again running amok throughout the world, it seems odd to think about events in February. For now, however, the All-Star Game is on and Ovechkin wants to be there.
Fans who wish to cast their vote for team captain can do so here. The NHL has listed 29 players from the Metropolitan Division you can vote for including Ovechkin, John Carlson, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson.
