Breaking: Alexander Ovechin sitting out against Columbus Blue Jackets

Head coach Spencer Carbery confirmed that Alex Ovechkin will take the game off for rest and not due to injury.

He'll be replaced in the lineup by Ethen Frank and this marks just the 76th missed game of Alex Ovechkin's 20-year NHL career and his 17th this season.

The Capitals' captain who has 70 points with 42 goals and 28 assists in 62 games and 10 points in his last six was celebrated Friday during the Gr8 City Celebration after surpassing Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record.

Ethen Frank is 27 and makes a return to the lineup for the first time since March 7.

In 22 games this season, he has scored 7 points with four goals and three assists in his first NHL action.

Defenseman Jakob Chychrun will also miss his second straight game due to illness and it's Alexander Alexeyev that draws in by playing his first game since November 8.

With Logan Thompson still sidelined, Hunter Shepard will get the start in goal for Washington.

It'll be his fifth NHL start and first of the season and he has a 22-11-3 record with a 2.81 GAA and .891 SV% in the AHL this year with Hershey.

As for Columbus, their playoff chances are hanging to nothing and they must win out and hope Montreal drops all three of its remaining games.

The Blue Jackets are 5-5 in their last 10, but enter today riding a two-game win streak.