2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game
Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018 AMALIE Arena, Tampa
Semifinal 1: Pacific Division 5, Central Division 2
Semifinal 2: Atlantic Division 7, Metropolitan Division 4
Tournament Final: Pacific Division 5, Atlantic Division 2
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PACIFIC WINS ALL-STAR GAME TOURNAMENT FOR SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS
Featuring balanced scoring and stellar goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury and Mike Smith, the Pacific Division All-Stars defeated the Atlantic Division 5-2 in the Final of the 3-on-3 competition at the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game. Five players recorded multiple points for the winners in the Final, led by three points (2-1–3) from F Rickard Rakell. Fleury and Smith stopped nine of 11 Atlantic Division shots.
As tournament champions, the Pacific Division players claimed the winner-take-all $1-million prize.
The Pacific Division has established its dominance in the 3-on-3 tournament format in the All-Star Game since its inception in 2016, winning for the second time in three years. Appearing in the Final in all three years under this format, the Pacific also captured the inaugural competition in 2016 and lost in the Final to the Metropolitan Division in 2017.
The Pacific Division won its third Semifinal in as many years by defeating the Central Division 5-2. Pacific captain Connor McDavid tallied a game-high four points, all assists, including setups for a pair of goals by FJames Neal. Goaltenders Fleury and Smith combined to stop 14 of 16 Central Division shots.
The Atlantic Division had advanced to the Final by defeating the defending All-Star champion Metropolitan Division 7-4 in the Semifinals. Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov (3-0–3) netted the first hat trick in 3-on-3 NHL All-Star history to lead the hometown favorites. Seven other Atlantic Division players netted multiple points, including F Jack Eichel (1-2–3), D Erik Karlsson (0-3–3) and two of Kucherov’s Tampa Bay teammates, F Brayden Point (1-1–2) and F Steven Stamkos (0-2–2).
The format divided the All-Star Game into three 20-minute games, with players from each Division making up the four All-Star teams: Pacific, Central, Atlantic, and Metropolitan.
CANUCKS’ BOESER VOTED HONDA NHL ALL-STAR GAME MVP
Pacific Division F Brock Boeser captured the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game MVP Award in an online fan vote and will take home a 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. Boeser joins Mario Lemieux (1985 in Calgary) as the only rookie to capture MVP honors in NHL All-Star Game history.
Showing the pinpoint skill he demonstrated in winning the Honda NHL Accuracy Shooting competition the night before, Boeser tallied the game-winning goal in the Semifinal win over the Central Division with a precision shot to the top corner. The goal snapped a 2-2 tie with 1:46 remaining. Boeser recorded two more points (1-1–2) in the Final for a two-game total of 2-1–3.
The 20-year-old Burnsville, Minn., native leads all NHL rookies in goals at the All-Star break (24) and tops the Canucks in scoring (24-19–43).
BURNS, DOUGHTY AND GAUDREAU WIN SECOND ALL-STAR 3-ON-3 TOURNAMENT
Pacific Division All-Stars Brent Burns, Drew Doughty and Johnny Gaudreau won their second All-Star Game title under the 3-on-3 tournament format, all having been part of the winning Pacific Division side at Nashville in 2016. The trio joins Taylor Hall as two-time winners in the event’s three-year history. Hall won with the Pacific Division at Nashville in 2016 and with the Metropolitan Division last year in Los Angeles.
Gaudreau, Doughty and Burns also make up the top three scorers all-time under the 3-on-3 All-Star Gameformat:
* Gaudreau (1-2–3 today) has 4-6–10 in 6 GP
* Doughty (2-1–3 today) has 4-5–9 in 6 GP
* Burns (1-2–3 today) has 2-7–9 in 6 GP
* Information provided via NHL Press Release
National Hockey League Press Release. Information provided from the NHL that describes various news releases that describe current events in the league.