Yevgeny Malkin: I understand Ovechkin’s reluctance to play for All-Stars

Pittsburg’s Russian forward Yevgeny Malkin has defended Alexander Ovechkin’s decision not to participate in the NHL All-Star Game.

«I understand how he feels. We chatted after the match in Pittsburg and he said he already bought a ticket to Ottawa. But then they banned him for three games…

I guess Alex did the right thing. He’ll get some rest, forget about hockey for a while. Here he would have been bombarded with questions about that foul. Everyone around would be in a good mood, while he would be looking at a ban,» Ovechkin’s compatriot told Sovetsky sport.

Malkin took part in the All-Star Game, getting on the score sheet once and providing one assist.