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The NHL has suspended Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin.

The NHL has suspended Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin.

His coach has come to his defense.

HockeyFeed

HockeyFeed

Because sometimes suspending one of your biggest stars and most beloved players isn't enough, you've got to suspend a second.

The National Hockey League has announced a one game suspension for superstar forward Alexander Ovechkin after the Capitals made the decision to keep him out of the All-Star game as a result of a nagging injury.

Despite the fact that unlike Jonathan Toews Ovechkin did not miss any playing time, his head coach has come out in his defense and given a perfectly reasonable explanation for his absence.

"Would I like to have Ovi in Nashville? Absolutely, but you have to think about the big picture," said Washington head coach Barry Trotz, as per The Score.

"The big picture for my ownership, my general manager, my (dressing) room - the players in our room, our team, and our fans is that we have to make the right decision."

That wasn't all from Trotz either, and although he didn't put it this bluntly, it's clear what his feelings are and they are exacvtly what they should be. Who cares about the All-Star game when you're trying to win a Cup?

"We are in the entertainment business, I get that, but you don't get two points for that game, you get prize money," Trotz said Wednesday. "To us, it's not about the prize money. We have a bigger goal, and if we want to get to where we want to get to, we can't do it without Alex Ovechkin being 100 percent."

Preach Barry.

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