Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal will replace Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin at the NHL All-Star Game.
Neal goes into the All-Star break tied for second in the league with 27 goals and he's second to Malkin on the team with 47 points.
Neal is the fourth replacement player named to the All-Star roster. On Monday, Penguins defenceman Kris Letang and Edmonton Oilers forward Jordan Eberle were added as injury replacements for Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien and Minnesota Wild forward Mikko Koivu. On Tuesday, Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Hartnell was added in place of Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews.
Ovechkin removed himself from the All-Star events Tuesday after being handed a three-game suspension by the NHL on Monday for a charging incident with Pittsburgh's Zbynek Michalek.
"I love the (All-Star) game, it's a great event and I love to be there, but I'm suspended and I don't want to be a target," Ovechkin told Comcast Sportsnet. "I feel that I don't deserve to be there right now. If I'm suspended I have to be suspended, so that's why I gave up my roster (spot)."
