The NHL may not be sending players to the 2018 Winter Olympics, but that means the league's best will be heading to the All-Star Game for one of the looser, more fun events on the hockey calendar every year.
This year's All-Star showcase will be held at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, Florida on January 27-28, meaning sports fans looking to fill their time in the pre-Super Bowl off week might want to check in on some of hockey's top talent to keep themselves busy. It may not be the fast-paced, ultra competitive and intense brand of hockey that the NHL typically provides in meaningful games, but -- if nothing else -- it's better than the Pro Bowl!
So, if you're interested in tuning in, here's what you need to know to check out the 2018 NHL All-Star game.
TV Schedule
- Saturday, January 27: NHL All-Star Skills Competition -- 7:30 pm (EST), NBCSN
- Sunday, January 28: NHL All-Star Game -- 3:30 p.m. (EST), NBC
- Stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
Format
Sticking with the format used last year, the All-Star Game will be played in a 3-on-3 style tournament with four different teams. Each of the league's four divisions (Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central and Pacific) will have their own 3-on-3 squad comprised of players from teams within those divisions.
The two winners of the first-round games will go head-to-head in the final round, with the winning team taking home $1,000,000 in prize money. The Metropolitan division is the reigning champion heading into the 2018 ASG.
Rosters
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 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)