NHL MORNING SKATE – JAN. 27, 2019
SATURDAY’S RESULTS Home Team in Caps Central Division 10, PACIFIC DIVISION 4 (SF) Metropolitan Division 7, ATLANTIC DIVISION 4 (SF) Metropolitan Division 10, CENTRAL DIVISION 5 (F)
CROSBY EARNS MVP HONORS, LEADS METRO TO ALL-STAR WIN With the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game being broadcast on television in primetime for the first time in more than 20 years, Penguins forward Sidney Crosby led all players with 4-4—8 across the two games – including multiple goals in each outing – to lead the Metropolitan Division to its second NHL All-Star title under the three-on-three format (also 2017 in Los Angeles).
* Crosby became the sixth NHL player to capture All-Star MVP, Hart Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy honors throughout his career, joining Jean Beliveau, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Joe Sakic. Coincidentally, SAP Center was the site of Crosby’s first of two Conn Smythe Trophy awards after the Penguins defeated the Sharks in Game 6 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.
* Only three other Penguins in franchise history have captured All-Star MVP honors: Mario Lemieux (1985, 1988 and 1990), Syl Apps Jr. (1975) and Greg Polis (1973).
* Crosby (2-3—5) and Islanders forward Mathew Barzal (2-3—5) each recorded five points in the Final, the highest single-game total recorded under the three-on-three All-Star format.
* Crosby scored 15 seconds into Semifinal 2 en route to a Metropolitan Division victory – the fastest goal to start a game under the three-on-three All-Star format. All three games contested on Saturday saw a goal scored within the first 1:03 of the game.
* Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones recorded 2-2—4 across the two games for the Metropolitan Division. In the 2018-19 regular season, Jones (2-3—5) ranks tied for second in points during the three-on-three overtime period, trailing only teammate Artemi Panarin (4-2— 6).
ALL-STAR GAME NOTES * The Metropolitan Division tallied 17 goals across the two contests, the highest combined total by any one team under the three-on-three All-Star format.
* Seth Jones was stopped on a penalty shot attempt by Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk in the Final. It marked just the third penalty shot in NHL All-Star Game history (dating to the first game in 1947). The others: Matt Duchene (no goal) in 2011 and Steven Stamkos (no goal) in 2012.
* The Central Division claimed its first-ever win under the three-on-three All-Star format with a 10-4 W vs. PAC in Semifinal 1. The 10 goals matched a three-on-three NHL All-Star single- game high, equaled by the Metropolitan Division in the final.
* The Central Division scored seven goals in the first half of Semifinal 1, matching the 2017 Metropolitan Division (7 in 1st vs. ATL) for the most goals in one half under the three-on-three format.
* Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog (3-1—4 in Semifinal 1) became the second player to score a hat trick under the three-on-three All-Star format, following Nikita Kucherov in 2018.
ICYMI: ALL-STAR EDITION
After dazzling the crowds during the 2019 SAP NHL All-Star Skills and engaging with hockey fans at 2019 NHL Fan Fair presented by SAP, U.S. Women’s National Team members Kendall Coyne Schofield and Brianna Decker, along with Canadian Women’s National Team members Renata Fast and Rebecca Johnston, were honored with a standing ovation for their contributions to the game and a donation to the charities or hockey programs of their choice.
QUICK CLICKS * MUST SEE: Devan Dubnyk flashes the leather to rob Connor McDavid * Former teammates Marc-Andre Fleury, Kris Letang ride scooters to rink * WATCH: Steven Stamkos puts puck between legs to beat Henrik Lundqvist * Puck and Player Tracking technology intriguing to NHL coaches * NHL's elite help wishes come true for kids at All-Star Game