The NHL is back from Christmas break and it already had some news that concerns Washington Capitals fans.

Auston Matthews (Atlantic), Nathan MacKinnon (Central), Alex Ovechkin (Metropolitan), and Connor McDavid (Pacific) will be the captains of their respective divisions and have earned the first roster spots for the 2019 NHL All-Star Game, which will be held January 26 in San Jose. Each player received the most votes in their divisions from fans.

According to the Capitals, this marks Alex Ovechkin’s tenth All-Star Game nod (the eighth he will actually play in) and his second consecutive season captaining the Metro All-Stars (over Sidney Crosby).

Ovechkin’s All-Star Game nominations include: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Ovechkin’s eight All-Star Games participated in is the most in franchise history. Ovi is also the Caps’ All-Star Game leader in goals (seven), assists (seven), and points (14).

The Capitals commented on the news by saying “Well, duh.”

The remaining players for the four All-Star rosters will be determined by the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department.

League leader in goals. Tenth All-Star selection. 2018 Metro Division All-Star Captain. #ALLCAPShttps://t.co/HP1fvYIO5C pic.twitter.com/d9sQTdWEZG

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 27, 2018

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NEW YORK (Dec. 27, 2018) – Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (Atlantic), Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (Central), Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (Metropolitan) and Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (Pacific) topped their divisions in the 2019 NHL All-Star Fan Vote presented by adidas to earn the captaincies and first roster spots for the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend, which will be held Jan. 25-26 in San Jose.

From Dec. 1-23, fans worldwide were able to cast their votes at NHL.com/Vote and via the NHL App. Fans were permitted to select as few as one player and a maximum of four players per ballot, without regard to position. The maximum number of ballots cast per day for each user was 10.

Matthews has played in the All-Star Game in each of his prior two NHL seasons (2017 and 2018) and now will serve as a captain for the first time. MacKinnon also will be making his third All-Star Game appearance (following selections in 2017 and 2018) and first as a captain. Ovechkin has played in seven prior All-Star Games (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2018) and will captain the Metropolitan Division for the second straight year. McDavid will captain the Pacific Division for the third time in as many All-Star Game appearances (also 2017 and 2018).

The 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend will once again consist of a three-game tournament, played in a 3-on-3 format, featuring four teams – one for each NHL division. Each team will be made up of 11 players from the respective division: six forwards, three defensemen and two goaltenders.

The remaining players who will comprise the four All-Star rosters will be determined by the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department.

The head coach of the team with the highest points percentage (points earned divided by total possible points) in each of the four divisions at the halfway point of the regular season will guide the respective All-Star rosters.

The Sharks and city of San Jose will host the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend, from Jan. 25‑26, including the 2019 SAP NHL All-Star Skills on Friday, Jan. 25 (6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS) and the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game on Saturday, Jan. 26 (5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS). The 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend marks the second time NHL All-Star activities will take place in San Jose. The Sharks previously hosted the event in 1997.

Fans can join the conversation by using the official hashtag #NHLAllStar. For more information on the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend, visit NHL.com/Fans/All-Star.

Photo: @NHL