Capitals' Alex Ovechkin out of All-Star Game due to positive COVID-19 test

Saturday's NHL All-Star Game will be without one of the league's biggest names and most historic figures. 

According to Sportsnet Staff, the Washington Capitals confirmed Wednesday that captain Alex Ovechkin will miss Wednesday's matchup versus the Edmonton Oilers and the weekend's events because he tested positive for COVID-19. His status for next Tuesday's home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets is up in the air. 

As noted by the league's website, the prolific goalscorer missed four games in January 2021 while in the COVID-19 protocol. 

Ovechkin was voted captain of the Metropolitan Division for the All-Star Game and, per ESPN stats, began Wednesday tied for third in the NHL with 29 goals and fifth with 58 points across 46 games this season.

The Capitals, meanwhile, are coming off a 4-3 overtime victory at the rival Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday evening that improved them to 25-12-9 on the campaign. They sit fourth in the Metropolitan Division standings with 59 points and trail the first-place Carolina Hurricanes by five points. 

It's not yet known who will replace Ovechkin in the All-Star Game. 

Samantha Pell of The Washington Post added more information about Ovechkin's status and positive test: