The annual NHL All-Star Game is quickly approaching, being held in Los Angeles on January 29. Even though the ASG has a rep for being a sometimes meaningless exhibition game, it’s still a fun event to watch at times, and a fantastic showcase of the NHL’s best.
The Habs sit atop the Atlantic Division, and have plenty of players that could represent the bleu, blanc, et rouge at the annual skills competition.
Carey Price
Even if he hadn’t been voted in as the captain of the Atlantic Division, Price is by far the most obvious choice to be the first Canadiens player at the ASG.
No stranger to the event, this will be his fifth appearance representing the team. He’s currently third in wins, fifth among starters with a .928 save percentage, and seventh with a 2.12 GAA. He’s the face of the Canadiens, giving them the best chance to win night in and night out, and has been recognized as the best goalie in the world for the last few seasons.
He’s also quite the character, with his personality shining in past All Star games:
Max Pacioretty
Max Pacioretty at an All-Star Game would be a long time coming, as he’s been one of the best goal scorers in the NHL since coming into the league.
The Canadiens’ captain is fourth in the NHL for goals scored over the last four seasons, with 125 goals. He’s behind only Sidney Crosby (126), Joe Pavelski (131), and Alex Ovechkin (172). That’s pretty elite company.
Pacioretty currently has 19 goals, good enough for seventh in the league, and is on pace to score 39 for the second time in his career. He’s been playing extremely well recently, and has shut down the critics calling him out earlier in the season. He’d be a treat to watch in the Accuracy Competition.
Shea Weber
If chosen, this would be Weber’s sixth All-Star Game, with appearances in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2016. He’s always been one of the main attractions. as he’s one of the top contenders in the Hardest Shot Competition. He’s won it the last two years, taking home the title with a 108.1 mph rocket.
Weber’s been good in his first season with the Habs, quietly sitting at fifth in points among defencemen with 26, and second in goals with 10. He’s one of the most feared defenders to play against, and has endeared himself to most of the Habs’ fanbase.
Plus, I’m pretty sure a Subban vs. Weber hardest shot final like last year would make for great entertainment:
Alexander Radulov & Alex Galchenyuk
I put these two together because they’re probably the least likely to be named to the Atlantic Roster, but they’re deserving of it nonetheless.
Radulov was a lightning rod for controversy early on in his NHL career, but there’s no doubting he’s turned it around this season. He’s currently in the top 40 of NHL point scorers, with 10 goals and 21 assists. His skill set and energy is something the ASG desperately needs, and he’s extremely fun to watch. Easily one of the most skilled players in the game, he would excel in the Skills Challenge Relay or Breakaway Challenge, and would put on a show in the 3-on-3 Tournament.
Galchenyuk was having a fantastic season before his knee injury, with 23 points in 26 games. He was playing like an elite centre, as he was in the top 10 in NHL scoring at the time of his injury. Had he stayed healthy, and kept up the production, I don’t think an All-Star appearance would be too far out of the question. He would be feared in the Shootout Competition.
I mean, wouldn’t we all love to see these two together on a line in the 3-on-3 competition?
