FILE - In this Tuesday, March 14, 2017, file photo, Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, of Russia, looks on from the bench during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild in Washington. Ovechkin has decided to skip the All-Star Weekend in San Jose to get some extra rest and will serve an automatic one-game suspension. The Capitals announced Ovechkin's decision Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
FILE - In this Tuesday, March 14, 2017, file photo, Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, of Russia, looks on from the bench during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild in Washington. Ovechkin has decided to skip the All-Star Weekend in San Jose to get some extra rest and will serve an automatic one-game suspension. The Capitals announced Ovechkin's decision Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File) Credit: Nick Wass

Alex Ovechkin will skip the NHL’s All-Star Weekend in San Jose to get some extra rest and serve an automatic one-game suspension.

The Washington Capitals announced Ovechkin’s decision on Wednesday, hours before the league unveiled the full All-Star rosters. The team said the NHL’s leading goal-scorer wants to take advantage of the adjoining bye week to prepare for the second half of the season.

“My body needs a rest,” Ovechkin said after practice on Wednesday. The 33-year-old Russian has played in 202 consecutive regular-season games and leads the Capitals with 45 points in 33 games this season.

Washington’s final game before the All-Star break is Jan. 23 at Toronto. The All-Star game is on Jan. 26, and the Capitals don’t play again until Feb. 1 against Calgary.

Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed Ovechkin must miss either the game before or after the All-Star break. The NHL recently instituted an automatic one-game suspension for players who chose not to participate in All-Star Weekend, except in cases of injury.

Fans voted Ovechkin, the reigning playoff MVP, as the captain of the Metropolitan Division All-Star team. With Ovechkin not going, the defending Stanley Cup champions will be represented by goaltender Braden Holtby and defenseman John Carlson on a Metropolitan team that also includes Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

Wednesday’s Scores

Penguins 7, Rangers 2

New York — Matt Murray stopped 28 shots to keep up his strong play since returning from an injury, and the Penguins beat New York for their season-high seventh straight win.

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jake Guentzel, Kris Letang and Dominik Simon each had a goal and an assist. Zach Aston-Reese and Tanner Pearson also scored to help the Penguins win for the ninth time in 10 games. Patric Hornqvist had two assists.

Flames 5, Red Wings 3

Detroit — Johnny Gaudreau’s power-play goal with 10:23 left lifted Calgary over Detroit.

Detroit led 2-0 after one period, but the Flames rallied to hand the Red Wings their sixth straight loss. Sean Monahan, TJ Brodie, Elias Lindholm and Michael Frolik also scored for Calgary.

Canucks 4, Senators 3 (ot)

OTTAWA, Ontario — Elias Pettersson completed a hat trick in overtime and Vancouver held off Ottawa.