Alexander Ovechkin

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**FILE** Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (Associated Press)

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, like the rest of his teammates, has seen his shot total dip lately. He has only 23 in the last eight games. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin celebrates after scoring the third goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Montreal. (AP Photo/Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)

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Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin slams into Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward as defenseman Justin Faulk closes in during first period, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)

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Capitals star Alex Ovechkin doesn't have top numbers, as his 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) had him tied for 46th among forwards entering Thursday's games. But his presence in the All-Star Game takes on added significance with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby sidelined. (Associated Press)

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associated press Capitals star Alex Ovechkin doesn't have top numbers, as his 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) had him tied for 46th among forwards entering Thursday's games. But his presence in the All-Star Game takes on added significance with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby (below) sidelined.ASSOCIATED PRESS Charisma is a big reason why the Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (left) is an All-Star selection in a season when his numbers don't necessarily measure up.

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Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has 24 goals and 45 points this season. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

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Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin had two goals in the 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night. He now has nine points in his last six games. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

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Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom celebrates his goal with teammates Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres, Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, in Washington. The Caps won 3-1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Buffalo Sabres' Drew Stafford (21) scrambles for the puck with Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) during the first period of an NHL game in Buffalo, N.Y., Monday, Dec. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

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New Jersey Devils' Alexander Urbom scores a goal as Washington Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth, can't make the save and Dmitri Orlov and Alex Ovechkin defend during the second period Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal with teammate Karl Alzner (27) during the first period of an NHL game against the Nashville Predators, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin sits on top of the wall on the bench area during a break in the action against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman celebrates his first of three goals with teammate Alex Ovechkin during the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin celebrates his go-ahead goal along with teammate Nickolas Backstrom, who had a goal and an assist, during the third period in Ottawa, Ontario on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011. The Caps went on to win 5-3. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Fred Chartrand)

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Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin had the go-ahead goal against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. The Caps won 5-3. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Fred Chartrand)

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, congratulates teammate Nicklas Backstrom, right, of Sweden, after Backstrom scored on Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

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Capitals Head Coach Dale Hunter has a word with his captain Alex Ovechkin (8) in the third period as the Washington Capitals host the Pittsburg Penguins at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC, Thursday, December 1, 2011. The Penguins won 2-1. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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Capitals Nicklas Backstrom (19) falls to the ice while team mate Alex Ovechkin (8) is defended against by Penguins Evgeni Malkin (71) and Paul martin (7) in the second period as the Washington Capitals host the Pittsburg Penguins at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC, Thursday, December 1, 2011. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) takes a shot on goal through St. Louis Blues defenseman Roman Polak (46) and St. Louis Blues defenseman Kris Russell (4) during the third period as the Washington Capitals take on the St. Louis Blues, Washington, DC, November 29, 2011. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)