Big changes to NHL all-star game
The NHL general managers
meetings saw some major changes
to the format of the NHL all-star
game that go into effect at this
year's game in Carolina.
Two of the major changes include that 12 rookies will now take part in the super skills competition, and the two conference captains will now pick their players. Fans will still vote on the six starters per conference who will go to the game, but just like in the playground the captains will pick who they want on their team. This brings up the question: will Sidney Crosby take Alexader Ovechkin or vice-versa? One thing that didn't fly was the coach's challenge, GMs said it will take too long and slow down the game.
The St. Louis Blues are still the hot team in the NHL, having only lost one game in regulation; however the top team in the NHL are the Washington Capitals. They are led by Ovechkin who is on a seven-game point streak. No surprise here: the Toronto Maple Leafs have seen their offence dry up. The Leafs have lost nine of 10 games and only scored eight goals during their six-game losing streak.
Ovechkin has been on fire this past week, extending his point streak to seven games. Also hot last week was Crosby, who dropped the gloves and didn't look out of place. A player that has cooled off recently is Toronto's Phil Kessel. He has been held goalless in his past five games. If Toronto is going to score again this year, it starts with him.
My three stars this week: third is Montreal's Carey Price who dominated this past week and shut out the Vancouver Canucks' highpowered offence; second is Crosby who did it all, including holding his own in a fight and scoring some points; and first is Ovechkin who didn't disappoint with points in his past seven games.
Next week's three big games are: Montreal in Boston for an original six battle, Detroit in St. Louis in a battle of Western Conference elite teams, and Chicago and Edmonton will play their third game in three weeks.
My five predictions are:
Montreal in Boston: In a battle of original six teams and a battle of hot goaltenders in Tim Thomas and Carey Price, goals will be few if any.
Montreal 2-1 in overtime.
Washington in Tampa Bay: Ovechkin vs. Steven Stamkos - both players have been dynamite on offence this year. Look for both players to put up big numbers.
Washington 5-3.
Chicago in Nashville: Look for a low scoring game as the defending Stanley Cup champs still try to find their scoring touch.
Nashville 3-0.
New Jersey in Boston: Another goaltending duel in Beantown, Martin Brodeur will look to help the struggling Devils beat the high flying Bruins and Tim Thomas.
New Jersey 4-2.
New York Rangers in Pittsburgh: We can bet that if Crosby can get going then there will be no hope for the Rangers. Look for the fans to be into the game and be loud all night.
Pittsburgh 5-3.
Two of the major changes include that 12 rookies will now take part in the super skills competition, and the two conference captains will now pick their players. Fans will still vote on the six starters per conference who will go to the game, but just like in the playground the captains will pick who they want on their team. This brings up the question: will Sidney Crosby take Alexader Ovechkin or vice-versa? One thing that didn't fly was the coach's challenge, GMs said it will take too long and slow down the game.
The St. Louis Blues are still the hot team in the NHL, having only lost one game in regulation; however the top team in the NHL are the Washington Capitals. They are led by Ovechkin who is on a seven-game point streak. No surprise here: the Toronto Maple Leafs have seen their offence dry up. The Leafs have lost nine of 10 games and only scored eight goals during their six-game losing streak.
Ovechkin has been on fire this past week, extending his point streak to seven games. Also hot last week was Crosby, who dropped the gloves and didn't look out of place. A player that has cooled off recently is Toronto's Phil Kessel. He has been held goalless in his past five games. If Toronto is going to score again this year, it starts with him.
My three stars this week: third is Montreal's Carey Price who dominated this past week and shut out the Vancouver Canucks' highpowered offence; second is Crosby who did it all, including holding his own in a fight and scoring some points; and first is Ovechkin who didn't disappoint with points in his past seven games.
Next week's three big games are: Montreal in Boston for an original six battle, Detroit in St. Louis in a battle of Western Conference elite teams, and Chicago and Edmonton will play their third game in three weeks.
My five predictions are:
Montreal in Boston: In a battle of original six teams and a battle of hot goaltenders in Tim Thomas and Carey Price, goals will be few if any.
Montreal 2-1 in overtime.
Washington in Tampa Bay: Ovechkin vs. Steven Stamkos - both players have been dynamite on offence this year. Look for both players to put up big numbers.
Washington 5-3.
Chicago in Nashville: Look for a low scoring game as the defending Stanley Cup champs still try to find their scoring touch.
Nashville 3-0.
New Jersey in Boston: Another goaltending duel in Beantown, Martin Brodeur will look to help the struggling Devils beat the high flying Bruins and Tim Thomas.
New Jersey 4-2.
New York Rangers in Pittsburgh: We can bet that if Crosby can get going then there will be no hope for the Rangers. Look for the fans to be into the game and be loud all night.
Pittsburgh 5-3.
