Dallas Stars: Predicting Results Of NHL All-Star Games
By Josh Clark
The NHL will test out a new format of the All-Star Game tomorrow, playing three separate 3-on-3 games instead of one big game. Does the Dallas Stars’ team have the necessary tools to win it all?
On Sunday night, the NHL will officially kick off a new standard for the annual All-Star Game. Instead of simply playing one large game between the Western and Eastern Conferences, the new format will involve three different games played in a playoff scenario.
There will be four teams competing, with one from each division. The games will use a 3-on-3 format, just as the new overtime play in the NHL does, and play 20-minute games. The Central Division will play the Pacific Division in the first round, while the Atlantic Division will take on the Metropolitan Division.
The winners of each game will meet in the final round, with the overall champion earning a one million dollar check for themselves. Each roster consists of six forwards, three defensemen, and two goaltenders.
Here are the rosters for each divisional team:
Central
F Jamie Benn (DAL), F Tyler Seguin (DAL), F Patrick Kane (CHI), F James Neal (NSH), F Matt Duchene (COL), F Vladimir Tarasenko (STL), D Dustin Byfuglien (WPG), D Roman Josi (NSH), D Shea Weber (NSH), G Devan Dubnyk (MIN), G Pekka Rinne (NSH)
Pacific
F Johnny Gaudreau (CGY), F Taylor Hall (EDM), F Joe Pavelski (SJS), F Corey Perry (ANA), F John Scott, F Daniel Sedin (VAN), D Brent Burns (SJS), D Drew Doughty (LA), D Mark Giordano (CGY), G John Gibson (ANA), G Jonathan Quick (LA)
Atlantic
F Patrice Bergeron (BOS), F Jaromir Jagr (FLA), F Leo Komarov (TOR), F Dylan Larkin (DET), F Ryan O’Reilly (BUF), F Steven Stamkos (TBL), D Aaron Ekblad (FLA), D P.K. Subban (MTL), G Erik Karlsson (OTT), G Roberto Luongo (FLA), G Ben Bishop (TBL)
Metropolitan
F Nicklas Backstrom (WSH), F Claude Giroux (PHI), Evgeny Kuznetsov (WSH), F Evgeni Malkin (PIT), F John Tavares (NYI), F Brandon Saad (CBJ), D Justin Faulk (CAR), D Kris Letang (PIT), D Ryan McDonagh (NYR), G Braden Holtby (WSH), G Cory Schneider (NJ)
On to the big question in everyone’s heads: who’s going to win it?
Here’s a quick look and prediction on how the games will end up panning out.
Game 1: Atlantic vs. Metropolitan
It’s clear that both teams have some of the best players from their divisions. Thus, the “All-Star” Game title.
Though this first game will not be as fun as the Western Conference game (mainly because the West game will be much faster paced), it will still have an interesting flow to it. Assuming that the Atlantic starts Luongo in net and the Metropolitan goes with the flaring Braden Holtby, I like the Metropolitan’s chances in net more.
The Atlantic looks like they may have a slight advantage on the defensive side. In the forwards department, I like the Metropolitan.
Overall, I have the Metropolitan sliding away with this one 4-3.
Game 2: Central vs. Pacific
The Central Division is accredited with being the toughest division in the NHL, and if you are a Dallas Stars fan, you can attest to this.
Not only that, but the NHL also did a good job at picking some of the Central’s best players. It almost seems unfair with how the rosters are lined up. Four of the six forwards on the Central’s roster are some of the NHL’s most elite and skilled snipers in the league. Meanwhile, the Pacific has a couple of forwards who are struggling so far this season in the scoring department.
In terms of defense, both sides are about equal. Finally, the goaltending is an interesting subject. Both squads have somewhat inconsistent goaltenders on their teams, so it will all depend on which goaltenders show up for each team.
In the end, I like the Central easily handling the Pacific 5-2.
Final game: Metropolitan vs. Central
This will definitely be the perfect way to end All-Star Weekend. The top four teams in the NHL are all from these two divisions (three from Central, one from Metropolitan). These divisions are definitely taking over the NHL, which means that the final game against the two will be that much more amazing.
The Central definitely has the better offense and a slight advantage on defense, but the goaltending is in favor of the Metropolitan.
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It will be a high-scoring and high-opportunity 20-minute period, that’s for sure.
But after all the dust has settled, I have the Central Division walking away with $1 million by beating the Metropolitan 5-4.
Before these games commence though, we have some fun events in store for us tonight. The NHL All-Star Skills Competition begins tonight at 6:00 p.m. and two Dallas Stars will be showing off their skills.
Next: Two Stars Taking On The NHL All-Star Skills Competition Tonight
Who do you think will win the All-Star Game and one million dollars? Leave your comments below!
It’s going to be a fun weekend, that’s for sure. Enjoy it, Stars fans. After this, it’s back to the dogfight.