NHL All-Star Game/Weekend a Smashing Success: Five Takeaways (Gretzky is All Business, Unexpected Pair Steal the Show, Mike Smith Saves the Four Line Challenge, and More)
The NHL All-Star Game/Weekend has come and gone, and overall it was a smashing success as the new format catches on with fans.
The Metropolitan Division came out as the winners in the 3-on-3 tournament, with Philadelphia forward Wayne Simmonds taking MVP honors. But in the short two-day competition, there were plenty of great storylines you might’ve missed. So here are my top five takeaways from this year’s All-Star festivities:
Wayne Gretzky doesn’t take a day off
If you thought hockey’s greatest player wasn’t going to take an NHL All-Star Game seriously, you’d be sorely mistaken. Wayne Gretzky stepped behind the bench for the Metropolitan Division after Columbus coach John Tortorella declined due to family matters. The Great One and former teammate Paul Coffey tag teamed the coaching duties, and together built a recipe for success.
The Gretzky-led Team Metropolitan took the tournament with a decisive 10-6 victory over the Atlantic and a thrilling 4-3 win over the Pacific in the final. Gretzky even proved to be the difference-maker in the final, when he challenged a Ryan Kesler goal in the second half. Video review showed that Pacific captain Connor McDavid had crossed the blue line before the puck, and the goal was waved off. The Metro would go on to score three unanswered to take the championship.
Little Kesler and Courtney Daniels stole the show
While Canucks fans have seen this act beforeOn Sunday, the pre-game show hit a snag when a member of the band Fifth Harmony fell ill. The band was slated to perform the American national anthem before the game, leaving the league scrambling to find a replacement. At the last minute Courtney Daniels, a Kings Ice Crew worker, stepped in to sing “The Star Spangled Banner”. Long story short; she nailed it.
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Mike Smith saved the Four Line Challenge
A few weeks before All-Star Weekend, the NHL announced they’d be removing the popular Breakaway Challenge from the SuperSkills competition. Its replacement? The Four Line Challenge, where players take turns shooting from each blue and red line at target holes for points.
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Cam Atkinson made the most of his All-Star call-up
After an injury kept Evgeni Malkin from attending the NHL All-Star Game, Columbus forward Cam Atkinson was named his replacement. Atkinson ended up being a difference maker for Team Metropolitan, scoring two goals and two assists in the semifinals. He also notched the tying goal in the final game to finish the tournament with five points
Next: Week 16 NHL Power Rankings
Coming out of the All-Star break, teams have played anywhere between 46 and 52 games. Clubs will have anywhere between 30 to 36 games to secure a playoff spot, which includes an extremely tight race in the Eastern Conference. 28 of 30 teams will be in action on Tuesday night with a very busy 14-game schedule.