The NHL wanted a more competitive and entertaining All-Star Game weekend and got it.
Both semifinals went to a shootout before Team Matthews pulled away to beat Team McDavid 7-4 in Saturday’s championship to split the $1 million team prize.
Defense was non-existent as usual, but the goaltending was solid, given the circumstances, and the players’ skill was evident with three goals scored in 18 seconds in the final.
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews scored twice in the final to win the MVP trophy. He had four points for the day, and his All-Star teammates Mathew Barzal (New York Islanders) and Alex DeBrincat (Detroit Red Wings) had six points each.
Team McDavid overcame a 3-1 deficit in the final minute to force a shootout in the first semifinal. Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid tied the game in the final seconds and he and the Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak scored in the shootout for a 4-3 win.
The second game was a back-and-forth affair with DeBrincat scoring twice in regulation and in the shootout for a 6-5 win. Frank Vatrano (Anaheim Ducks) and Filip Forsberg (Nashville Predators) each had two goals.
Throw in an entertaining revamped skills competition, and the league accomplished its goal.
Here are the winners and losers for the NHL All-Star Game weekend at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena:
WINNERS
Connor McDavid doubly good at the skills competition
The NHL consulted the Oilers star on how to make the event more interesting and the collaboration worked. The skills competition had become too gimmicky — witness the dunk tank in Florida and the game of 21 with oversized cards on the Las Vegas Strip. Even the breakaway contest with costumes had become stale. Friday was a return to the basics. Having only 12 participants and having players eliminated after the sixth and seventh events were good touches. The winner-take-all $1 million prize added to the stakes. And for good measure, McDavid won four events and got the check.
Player draft made for interesting combinations in All-Star Game
Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon chose buddy and fellow Nova Scotian Sidney Crosby for his team, and Crosby assisted on MacKinnon’s two goals. They normally wouldn’t have played together because they’re in different divisions. Bruins teammates Pastrnak and…