SB Nation DC - 2012 NHL All-Star Game Rosters: Alex Ovechkin, Dennis Wideman Make Team, Nicklas Backstrom Doesn'thttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2012-01-13T16:31:43-05:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24671392012-01-13T16:31:43-05:002012-01-13T16:31:43-05:00NHL All-Star Game 2012 Rosters: Alex Ovechkin Discusses Being Selected
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> winger <span>Alex Ovechkin</span> earned the fifth All-Star selection of his career Thursday, the NHL announced. He addressed the media to discuss the honor, and SB Nation partner CSN Washington has video:</p>
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<p>"I'm crazy about Canada," the seven-year veteran said, referring to Ottawa, which will host the game. "Everyone's gonna be excited to go over there. It's gonna be really nice."</p>
<p>Ovechkin added that he's "kind-of retired" from the Skills Competition, which he won in 2009 after donning sunglasses a Canadian-flag adorned hat. He said it's "for young guys."</p>
<p>Ovechkin is one of two players representing the Capitals at the All-Star Game, joining defenseman <span>Dennis Wideman</span>. The two have combined for 28 goals and 36 assists during the 2011/12 season. <span>Nicklas Backstrom</span>, who leads the second-place Capitals with 29 assists and 42 points, did not earn All-Star honors.</p>
<p><em>For more on the Capitals, please visit <a href="http://www.japersrink.com/" target="blank">Japers' Rink</a>, SB Nation's Capitals blog.</em></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2012/1/13/2705567/nhl-all-star-game-2012-roster-alex-ovechkinEvan Dunlap2012-01-12T16:30:58-05:002012-01-12T16:30:58-05:00NHL All-Star Game 2012: Alex Ovechkin Says Nicklas Backstrom Was Snubbed
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<p>The 2012 NHL All-Star Game rosters were announced on Thursday, and two <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> made the squad. Star <span>Alex Ovechkin</span> was a fairly obvious selection despite his early-season struggles, and defenseman <span>Dennis Wideman</span> was a surprise addition. However, center <span>Nicklas Backstrom</span>, the team's leading point producer, did not make the roster, which was a major surprise.</p>
<p>Ovechkin vouched for his teammate when asked. <a href="http://www.csnwashington.com/hockey-washington-capitals/news/Ovechkin-Wideman-named-All-Stars?blockID=629842&feedID=6458">Via Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington</a>:</p>
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<p>"I think Backstrom 100 percent has to be there," said Ovechkin, who will match Peter Bondra’s club record with his fifth All-Star appearance.</p>
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<b>Related</b>: <a href="http://www.japersrink.com/2012/1/12/2702438/ovechkin-wideman-named-all-stars">Discuss the Capitals' All-Stars at Japers' Rink</a>.<br>
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<p>It's possible that Backstrom asked not to play in the game because of his current injury status. He was placed on injured reserve after taking an elbow to the face against Calgary last week. Of course, if this were really the case, that would be an even bigger concern for the Capitals.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Capitals, visit <a href="http://www.japersrink.com">Japers' Rink</a></i><i>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2012/1/12/2703111/nhl-all-star-game-2012-rosters-alex-ovechkin-nicklas-backstromMike Prada2012-01-12T13:17:11-05:002012-01-12T13:17:11-05:002012 NHL All-Star Game Rosters: Alex Ovechkin, Dennis Wideman Make It, Nicklas Backstrom Snubbed
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<figcaption>(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Alex Ovechkin made his fifth All-Star team, while Dennis Wideman will make his All-Star debut, but Nicklas Backstrom won't join his Caps teammates in Ottawa for the game despite leading the team in points.</p> <p><span>Alex Ovechkin</span> and <span>Dennis Wideman</span> will represent the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> at the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/VogsCaps/status/157520165746118656" target="blank">according</a> to Mike Vogel of the team's official website. The league announced the complete <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=76666" target="blank">2012 NHL All-Star Game roster</a> on Thursday. Conspiculously absent from the game is <span>Nicklas Backstrom</span>, who owns a commanding lead over Ovechkin as the team's leader in points, with 42. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Ottawa Senators</a> host the All-Star Game, with the puck set to drop Jan. 29 at Scotiabank Place.</p>
<p>This All-Star selection is Ovechkin's fifth in his seven-year NHL career. He leads Washington with 17 goals and ranks No. 2 in points with 33. Wideman, 28, makes his first All-Star appearance. The defenseman ranks No. 2 in assists (20) and No. 3 in points (28) for the Capitals.</p>
<p>Fans voted on the first six All-Stars, naming four players from the host Senators. The NHL will soon announce team captains, who will then select the teams on Jan. 26.</p>
<p><em>For more on the Capitals, please visit <a href="http://www.japersrink.com/" target="blank">Japers' Rink</a>, SB Nation's Capitals blog.</em></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2012/1/12/2702533/nhl-all-star-roster-2012-capitals-alex-ovechkin-dennis-wideman-nicklas-backstromEvan Dunlap2012-01-12T12:11:18-05:002012-01-12T12:11:18-05:00Alex Ovechkin Won't Be Bummed If He's Not An All-Star
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<p><span>Alex Ovechkin's</span> slow start may prevent him from playing in the NHL All-Star Game, but he won't be too sad if that happens.</p>↵<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">↵<p>Asked Ovechkin if he'd be disappointed if not named All-Star: "No, because I'm going to go straight up to vacation somewhere."</p>↵— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/SWhyno/status/157506829939777536" data-datetime="2012-01-12T12:00:">January 12, 2012</a>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2012/1/12/2702331/alex-ovechkin-wont-be-bummed-if-hes-not-an-all-starMike Prada