Media by Associated Press – Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) controls the puck as Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz follows behind in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The NHL is like most sports leagues in that people love to complain about the All-Star game. Over the past few years, the NHL has shifted away from having a traditional game to dividing the teams into divisions and playing 3-on-3 hockey instead of traditional 5-on-5. The NHL has also made the weekend more of an event with a skills competition as well.
Here’s a look at what to expect.
Fastest Skater
The event will feature a former winner, Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin, who won with a time of 13.172 seconds in 2016. Larkin is the favorite to pick up his second title and is the favorite at +250. Chandler Stephenson (+300), Cale Makar (+320), Kirill Kaprizov (+500), and Andrei Svechnikov (+600) are also competing.
Accuracy shooting
There will be a large crowd of players trying to flex their muscles and show they the most accurate shot in the NHL. Edmonton Oilers star center Connor McDavid is the favorite to win the competition at +500. Jack Hughes (+600), Leon Draisaitl (+600), Nikita Kucherov (+650), Aleksander Barkov (+700), Artemi Panarin (+700), Nazem Kadri (+900), Vladimir Tarasenko (+900), Kevin Hayes (+1100) and Brock Nelson (+1100).
Hardest Shot
When it comes to the hardest shot, Washington Capitals winger Alexander Ovechkin is always in the competition to win, despite being over 40. Ovechkin last won the event in 2018 with a shot of 101.3 miles per hour.
However, Ovechkin’s winning shot from the year wouldn’t even break the top 10 for the fastest time in the vent. Zdeno Chara holds the record with a shot of 108.8 miles per hour in 2012. Ovechkin is the favorite this year with at +300. Rasmus Dahlin (+350), Rasmus Dahlin (+350), Seth Jones (+380), Josh Morrissey (+400), and Elias Pettersson (+400) will also compete.
With Ovechkin’s age in his previous winning time being unimpressive compared to others who have won it, this is a good spot to find value somewhere.
Atlantic, Central Divisions co-favorites to win All-Star game
The Atlantic and Central Divisions were both priced at +250 to win the All-Star game, while the Metropolitan and Pacific are both +300. The Atlantic Division will be backstopped by Tampa Bay netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy, which will make them a tough matchup for the Metropolitan All-Stars.
The Metro team does have a lot of experience, with veteran penguin Center Sidney Crosby leading the roster. The battle between the Pacific and Central divisions will be highlighted by a battle between Nathan McKinnon and Connor McDavid. It is always difficult to handicap All-Star games, especially now, because players are looking to avoid injury more than worrying about winning or losing.
Pacific Division is generally thought to have the weaker goaltending of the four teams. The Atlantic division has plenty of talent at the top of it. The Atlantic will find a way to pull out a victory.
See more NHL picks >>