The NHL is once again shaking up its All-Star Game format in what has the makings of a very interesting concept.
Rather than a regular game, the league has devised a way to have three mini 3-on-3 games with four clubs, each representing one of the four divisions in the league.
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The teams will be made up of 11 players (six forwards, three defenseman and two goalies). The Metropolitan Division will play the Atlantic Division in a 20-minute game, and the winner of that contest will take on the victor of a battle between the Central and Pacific Divisions. But there's more! the winning team gets $1 million.
The full rules for the revamped format can be viewed here.
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Before the puck drops on the All-Star Game at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Jan. 31, here's an early projection of the lineups. Keep in mind, every team from each division needs to be represented.
Atlantic
At forward, there's some stiff competition, but David Krejci leads all forwards with 20 points entering Thursday and Steven Stamkos can't be left out in the cold with the wide open space of 3-on-3. Rounding out the forwards will be Max Pacioretty, Jaromir Jagr, Jack Eichel and Henrik Zetterberg.
On defense, Erik Karlsson (18) and P.K. Subban (17) are second and third in the NHL in points for defenseman, while Alex Rielly deserves to serve as the lone Maple Leaf representative. A 1-2 punch of reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy-winner Carey Price and Roberto Luongo in between the pipes isn't too shabby.
|
Player |
Team |
Stats |
|
Max Pacioretty (LW) |
Canadiens |
9 goals, 8 assists, 17 points |
|
Henrik Zetterberg (LW) |
Red Wings |
4-11--15 |
|
Jack Eichel [C] |
Sabres |
6-3--9 |
|
Steven Stamkos [C] |
Lightning |
9-5--14 |
|
David Krejci [C] |
Bruins |
8-12-20 |
|
Jaromir Jagr (RW) |
Panthers |
7-7-14 |
|
P.K. Subban (D) |
Canadiens |
1-16-17 |
|
Morgan Rielly (D) |
Maple Leafs |
3-9--12 |
|
Erik Karlsson (D) |
Senators |
3-15--18 |
|
Carey Price (G) |
Canadiens |
7 wins, 2.01 GAA |
|
Roberto Luongo (G) |
Panthers |
6, 2.35 |
Metropolitan
The Metro is very deep at center and since the rules say it only has to be six forwards, regardless of position, it could very well send more than two to the game. John Tavares and Claude Giroux are more than deserving of the honor and though Sidney Crosby (two goals) has struggled, he'll thrive in a 3-on-3 format. Mats Zuccarello, Brandon Saad and Alex Ovechkin round out an explosive group for the division.
On defense, Ryan McDonough, Justin Faulk and Eric Karlsson have all had seasons worthy of consideration. In net, Henrik Lundqvist leads the league in almost every major goaltending category, so he's a shoo-in, while Cory Schneider could serve as the Devils' representative.
|
Alex Ovechkin (LW) |
Capitals |
8-8--16 |
|
John Tavares [C] |
Islanders |
9-8--17 |
|
Sidney Crosby [C] |
Penguins |
2-7--9 |
|
Claude Giroux [C] |
Flyers |
6-7--13 |
|
Mats Zuccarello (RW) |
Rangers |
9-9--18 |
|
Brandon Saad (RW) |
CBJ |
9-4--13 |
|
Ryan McDonagh (D) |
Rangers |
3-4--7 |
|
Justin Faulk (D) |
Hurricanes |
6-6--12 |
|
Jon Carlson (D) |
Capitals |
3-9--12 |
|
Henrik Lundqvist (G) |
Rangers |
10, 1.69 |
|
Cory Schneider (G) |
Devils |
9, 2.05 |
Central
This is the deepest division in hockey, so there may be some glaring omissions. This group is just stacked, with Patrick Kane leading the charge. Tyler Seguin, Bryan Little, Vladimir Tarasenko, Jamie Benn and Blake Wheeler would form a scary-good club.
On defense, John Klingberg leads all NHL blueliners in points (20), while Ryan Suter has held his own carrying a tremendous workload for the Wild and Tyson Barrie could be picked to represent Colorado.
|
Vladimir Tarasenko (LW) |
Blues |
11-7--18 |
|
Jamie Benn (LW) |
Stars |
12-14--26 |
|
Tyler Seguin [C] |
Stars |
10-17--27 |
|
Bryan Little [C] |
Jets |
9-9--18 |
|
Patrick Kane (RW) |
Blackhawks |
13-17--30 |
|
Blake Wheeler (RW) |
Jets |
8-13--21 |
|
John Klingberg (D) |
Stars |
4-16--20 |
|
Ryan Suter (D) |
Wild |
2-13--15 |
|
Tyson Barrie (D) |
Avalanche |
0-10--10 |
|
Pekka Rinne (G) |
Predators |
10, 2.10 |
|
Jake Allen (G) |
Blues |
8, 1.91 |
Pacific
Johnny Gaudreau deserves the nod in his sophomore season while Joe Pavelski has continued to be a leader for the Sharks. Promising young rookie Max Domi deserves his first All-Star exposure, while Taylor Hall, Daniel Sedin and Martin Hanzal are also worthy of participation.
On the blue line, Brent Burns, Drew Doughty and Oliver Ekman-Larsson anchor arguably the best possible defensive front in the whole tournament. Between the pipes, the reliable Jonathan Quick and Frederik Andersen form a dynamic duo.
|
Johnny Gaudreau (LW) |
Flames |
4-14--18 |
|
Taylor Hall (LW) |
Oilers |
8-13--21 |
|
Joe Pavelski [C] |
Sharks |
10-8--18 |
|
Martin Hanzal [C] |
Coyotes |
3-14--17 |
|
Max Domi (RW) |
Coyotes |
8-8--16 |
|
Daniel Sedin (RW) |
Canucks |
7-11--18 |
|
Brent Burns (D) |
Sharks |
5-9--14 |
|
Drew Doughty (D) |
Kings |
2-9--11 |
|
Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D) |
Coyotes |
3-10--13 |
|
Jonathan Quick (G) |
Kings |
9, 2.32 |
|
Frederik Andersen (G) |
Ducks |
3, 3.09 |
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