Alex Ovechkin and 9 Other Players Who Should Get Shut Down Until the Playoffs

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 18: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 18, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Capitals shut out the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

As reported today, Washington Capitals superstar winger Alex Ovechkin will miss seven to 10 days to rest and recover from an "undisclosed ailment."

Ovechkin is just one of a handful of players who are currently injured and will play key roles in their team's playoff fate.

Here are 10 player who should be shut down until the playoffs.

Jonas Hiller, Anaheim Ducks

RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 30: Team Lidstrom player Jonas Hiller #1 of the Anaheim Ducks reacts as he is hit in the face by a puck shot by Team Staal player Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 58th NHL All-Star Game at RBC Center on January 30,

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Anaheim Ducks' All-Star goalie Jonas Hiller has missed 18 of the last 19 games with what the Ducks are calling vertigo.

The Ducks are in pretty good shape in the Western Conference playoff race and are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games.

They're doing well enough that they don't need to risk Hiller's health before (or during) the playoffs.

Dave Bolland, Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks' center Dave Bolland suffered a concussion on this headshot by Pavel Kubina on March 10th.

The Hawks should keep him out of the lineup until at least the playoffs to make sure his concussion symptoms have subsided.

Loui Eriksson, Dallas Stars

Yet another concussion should keep a star player out of the lineup until at least the start of the playoffs.

This time, it's Dallas Stars winger Loui Eriksson. Currently, TSN has Eriksson listed as questionable for a game on Wednesday, but the Stars shouldn't risk the long term health of one of their All Star forwards.

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 18: Nick Palmieri #32 of the New Jersey Devils bumps Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals at the Prudential Center on March 18, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Capitals defeated the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Image

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

As mentioned earlier, Alex Ovechkin will miss seven to 10 days with an undisclosed injury. That should result in Ovie missing three to five games.

With his Washington Capitals safely in the playoffs, and their chances for a Stanley Cup resting largely on Ovechkin's performance, why risk it?

Bring Ovechkin back for one or two games before the playoffs to get his timing back, but make sure he's completely healed first or the Capitals will be done pretty quickly.

Chris Pronger, Philadelphia Flyers

PHILADELPHIA - FEBRUARY 13: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings battles Chris Pronger #20 of the Philadelphia Flyers on February 13, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lou Capozzola/Getty Images)

Lou Capozzola/Getty Images

Chris Pronger had surgery on his hand on March 15th and is expected to miss three to four weeks.

The Philadelphia Flyers have already clinched a playoff spot and currently lead the Eastern Conference, so there's no reason to rush Pronger back.

Brooks Orpik, Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 23: Brooks Orpik #44 of the Pittsburgh Penguins warms up before the NHL game against the San Jose Sharks at Consol Energy Center on February 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Sharks defeated the Penguins 3-2 in overtime.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Pittsburgh Penguin shutdown defender Brooks Orpik has been out since February 24th with a broken finger. He was expected to miss four to six weeks.

Orpik will be important to the Penguins' playoff hopes, so they shouldn't risk re-injuring Orpik by rushing him back.

The Penguins have been dealing well with injuries all season and would benefit from a healthy Orpik entering playoffs.

Manny Malhotra, Vancouver Canucks

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 08: Manny Malhotra #27 of the Vancouver Canucks skates after the puck with Keith Yandle #3 of the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 8, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Canucks defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Manny Malhotra is the second best faceoff man in the league and will play a key role in what many are expecting to be a long playoff run for the Vancouver Canucks.

Malhotra had left eye surgery on March 17th and is listed as out indefinitely.

Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 9: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings tries to hold up Pavel Datsyuk #13 of the Detroit Red Wings in a game on March 9, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Kings defeated the Wings 2-1. (Photo by Claus Anderse

Claus Andersen/Getty Images

The Selke-winning machine named Pavel Datsyuk is suffering from an upper body injury. He missed the Detroit Red Wings' game on March 19th and will sit out again on March 21st.

The Red Wings are safely in the playoffs and have an eight point lead in their division. They need Datsyuk a lot more for the playoffs than for the rest of the regular season.

Mike Green, Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 12: Mike Green #52 of the Washington Capitals handles the puck against Wayne Simmonds #17 of the Los Angeles Kings at the Verizon Center on February 12, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

After being a back-to-back Norris Trophy finalist, Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green has had an injury-plagued season.

Green is currently out with a head injury and there's no reason for the Caps to bring him back quickly.

They'll clinch a playoff spot with their next win and can begin to prep for a playoff run.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins walks off the ice after being defeated 3-1 by the Washington Capitals during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby has been out since January 5th with a concussion, as I'm sure you know by now.

The Penguins have played well enough to be safely in the playoffs and can't afford to mess with Sid's long term health.

Crosby has been skating for the last week, symptom free, but should be brought back in time to play two games before playoffs at the earliest.

Also, after the shenanigans the last time the Penguins played the New York Islanders, they should consider keeping Sid out of the lineup in their April 8th rematch.

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