NHL All-Star Rosters Announced

By Guest Blogger Brian Murphy:

Some of you may not of heard of the format of this year’s NHL All-Star game which will be played in Raleigh, NC (home of the Hurricanes) on January 30th.  Next week, two captains will be chosen and have to pick their team like it is a fantasy draft at elementary school recess.  This is the first time the league will try this, as they do away with the traditional Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference format.  Each team will be comprised of 3 goalies, 6 defensemen, and 12 forwards.

Now as to who will be the two captains?  Many believe it will be Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals.  This would further heat the rivalry of two of the NHL’s best, as they were just featured on an HBO series that depicted them leading up to the Winter Classic.  The Eastern vs. Western match-up would have been great considering how good the top of both leagues are this year.  However, the new format will make for some entertaining television.  There are actually two sets of brothers that are All-Stars who could either be on the same team or playing against each other!  Henrik and Daniel Sedin from the league-leading Canucks is one pair and the other is Eric Stall, of the hosting Carolina Panthers, and brother Marc of the New York Rangers.

The Eastern Conference standings coming into the break is led by the Philadelphia Flyers (59 points) with the Penguins a close second place with 56 points, both in the Atlantic Division.  The Boston Bruins sit atop the Northeast Division (53 points) with the Montreal Canadiens right behind with 53 points.  The Southeast Division is a tight one with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals tied at 55 points.*

In the Western Conference, there is not as much parity in the division races.  The Detroit Red Wings are atop the Central Division with 59 points, the Canucks have an NHL-leading 62 points in the Northwest Division, and the Dallas Stars are leading the Pacific with 57 points.*

After attending two exciting Devils games (great atmosphere despite their nightmare of a season) in the past week or so, it really is a shame that the NHL doesn’t get more love from sports in the U.S.  It is a great game and I’m looking forward to the All-Star Break, especially when the two captains pick their squads and if they favor maybe players from their home-country or conference.  It should be an interesting watch, eh?

*Standings as of January 12, 2011

Here’s the All-Star Roster by position: