As 2021 draws to a close and we approach the halfway mark of the NHL season there’s a big debate among the Washington Capitals and their fans and a tough decision looming. Do we vote Alex Ovechkin into the NHL All Star Game or do we not?
I know this sounds crazy. I’m as big of an Ovechkin fan as the next Caps fan. One would think duh! Of course you should vote Ovechkin into the NHL All Star Game, with this years festivities taking place in Las Vegas. But then there’s this.
Ovechkin has had a history of skipping All Star Games in the past. As a result he’s been punished by the league of getting suspended for one game. With his chase towards goal scoring greatness is it really worth the risk of him losing one game when every game matters towards a chase that had a few bumps in the road like lockouts and pandemics?
Ovechkin has participated in the league’s All Star Game seven times. But the team noted that he does want to go this year. Makes sense, especially after COVID messed up the league’s chances of participating in the Winter Olympics. Honestly neither of the reasons mentioned above isn’t why I didn’t vote for Alex Ovechkin. I voted for Tom Wilson just to troll since he has free real estate across the league.
As of Dec. 20, Ovechkin led with 29 percent of the vote among Metropolitan Division players, more than doubling Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins who was at 13.4 percent. Only Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid had the most votes with 30 percent.
The All Star Game is a three game single elimination tournament that puts the four NHL divisions against each other. Ovechkin was voted the Metropolitan captain for each of the last three All Star Games but didn’t participate in 2019 or 2020. Looks like he’s a full go this year.