Capitals' Kuznetsov replaces Ovechkin in All-Star Game

Alex Ovechkin won't play in the All-Star Game, but his teammate and countryman will.

Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov will take Ovechkin's spot on the Metropolitan Division roster in the midseason 3-on-3 tournament.

The Capitals announced Wednesday night that Ovechkin won't attend the event due to injury, and he'll serve a one-game suspension as a result.

The captain will miss Washington's first game back from the break, on Feb. 2, against the Florida Panthers.

Kuznetsov has apparently been dreaming about the opportunity for a while.

Exactly a year ago, Evgeny Kuznetsov told me: "I want to stay here for a long career and maybe play in a couple of All-Star games."

- Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) January 28, 2016

Capitals head coach Barry Trotz will lead the Metropolitan Division All-Stars, while goaltender Braden Holtby and forward Nicklas Backstrom will also represent Washington in Nashville over the weekend.

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