Jeff Freeze
The NHL may not be going to the 2018 Winter Olympics, but fans will still get to see some (nominal) best-on-best action at the 63rd NHL All-Star Game this weekend. (I can hear the enthusiasm from here. It sounds like a Florida Panthers home game.) This year’s showcase will be held at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL, starting with the Skills Competition on Saturday (Jan. 27th), followed by the 3-on-3 tournament on Sunday (Jan. 28th).
Like last year, four teams (one from each division) will compete in the 3-on-3 tournament. The two Eastern Conference divisions (Atlantic & Metropolitan) will meet in one semifinal while the two Western Conference divisions (Central & Pacific) meet in the other.
The two winners will go head-to-head in the final, with the winning team getting a bag full of money ($1,000,000) to split amongst themselves.
Last year, the Metropolitan won the tourney. Are they favored to win again, or will the Pacific return to the finals and pocket the cash? Below are the updated rosters along with the odds of who will come out on top at this weekend’s NHL All-Star Game.
2018 NHL All-Star Rosters (Updated)
Atlantic Division
F Aleksander Barkov, Panthers (1st ASG selection)
F Jack Eichel, Sabres (1st)
F Nikita Kucherov, Lightning (2nd)
F Brad Marchand, Bruins (2nd)
F Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs (2nd)
F Steven Stamkos, Lightning (5th)
D Mike Green, Red Wings (2nd)
D Brayden Point Victor Hedman, Lightning (2nd)*
D Erik Karlsson, Senators (5th)
G Carey Price, Canadiens (6th)
G Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning (1st)
Coach: Jon Cooper, Lightning (1st)
Metropolitan Division
F Josh Bailey, Islanders (1st)
F Sidney Crosby, Penguins (3rd)
F Claude Giroux, Flyers (5th)
F Taylor Hall, Devils (3rd)
F Alex Ovechkin, Capitals (7th)
F John Tavares, Islanders (5th)
D Noah Hanifin, Hurricanes (1st)
D Seth Jones, Blue Jackets (2nd)
D Kris Letang, Penguins (4th)
G Braden Holtby, Capitals (3rd)
G Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers (4th)
Coach: Barry Trotz, Capitals (3rd)
Central Division
F Patrick Kane, Blackhawks (7th)
F Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche (2nd)
F Brayden Schenn, Blues (1st)
F Tyler Seguin, Stars (5th)
F Eric Staal, Wild (5th)
F Blake Wheeler, Jets (1st)
D John Klingberg, Stars (1st)
D Alex Pietrangelo, Blues (1st)
D P.K. Subban, Predators (3rd)
G Connor Hellebuyck, Jets (1st)
G Pekka Rinne, Predators (2nd)
Coach: Peter Laviolette, Predators (3rd)
Pacific Division
F Brock Boeser, Canucks (1st)
F Johnny Gaudreau, Flames (4th)
F Anze Kopitar, Kings (4th)
F Connor McDavid, Oilers (2nd)
F James Neal, Golden Knights (3rd)
F Rickard Rakell, Ducks (1st)
D Brent Burns, Sharks (5th)
D Drew Doughty, Kings (4th)
D Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Coyotes (2nd)
G Marc-Andre Fleury, Golden Knights (3rd)
G Jonathan Quick, Kings (3rd)
Coach: Gerard Gallant, Golden Knights (2nd)
All-Star Game Betting Odds and Predictions
- Atlantic Division: +225
- Metropolitan Division: +245
- Pacific Division: +245
- Central Division: +245
Last year, the Metropolitan was the favorite going into the tournament and they didn’t disappoint by edging out the Pacific 4-3 in the finals. This year though, it’s the Atlantic Division that most of the online sportsbooks favor at +225. When you have the likes of Kucherov, Matthews, and Stamkos up front, plus Karlsson anchoring your defense, you have a team that can dominate a wide-open 3-on-3 game of shinny.
Outside of the Atlantic, the other three teams are all sitting at +245; but don’t sleep on the Pacific Division. They have some kid named Connor McDavid and a star in the making in Brock Boeser, both of whom could light it up in this format.
Predictions
- Semifinal #1: Metropolitan vs. Atlantic
Winner: Atlantic - Semifinal #2: Central vs. Pacific
Winner: Pacific - Final: Atlantic vs. Pacific
Winner: Atlantic Division (+225)
2018 NHL All-Star Game MVP
- Connor McDavid: +745
- Steven Stamkos: +800
- Sidney Crosby: +800
- Nikita Kucherov: +800
- Patrick Kane: +800
- Alex Ovechkin: +1000
- Johnny Gaudreau: +1000
- Auston Matthews: +1100
- Nathan MacKinnon: +1100
- John Tavares: +1200
- Tyler Seguin: +1200
- Brad Marchand: +1600
- Brent Burns: +1800
- Blake Wheeler: +1800
- Drew Doughty: +2000
- Erik Karlsson: +2000
- Claude Giroux: +2000
- PK Subban: +2000
- Kris Letang: +2500
- FIELD: +400
Who knew that last year’s All-Star MVP would be good old Wayne Simmonds of the Philadelphia Flyers? Let’s just say it wasn’t a name that was at the top of the list when it came to last year’s favorites. Yet he scored three goals in two games, helping the Metro Division win the tourney and earning the Most Valuable Player honor in the process.
When you look at the odds for All-Star MVP below, you immediately see the big names. But not included are guys like Blake Wheeler of the Jets and Josh Bailey of the Islanders, i.e. players making their first All-Star appearance who will likely be motivated to prove they belong.
Prediction
- FIELD (+400)
