For the second straight season, Mat Barzal was chosen to the All-Star Sport following his great first half this yr. He was the lone New York Islander to be chosen and will likely be taking part in for the Metropolitan Division. Brock Nelson can have the chance to be voted in by the followers for the ultimate spot.
“It’s a pleasant feat throughout the yr,” Barzal stated. “I clearly couldn’t have carried out it with out my teammates and my coaches placing me in good spots. It’s good when it occurs, however we nonetheless have 10 or so video games earlier than the All-Star break and we’re in a good race proper now, so my focus is form of on that.”NHL.com
Barzal’s Numbers
For a group that’s not loaded with offensive expertise, Barzal has shortly began to place collectively his greatest season. Via 38 video games, he has a team-high 16 objectives and 33 factors. Currently, Barzal has been taking part in effectively and has scored in three of the previous seven video games. Even with all the person success he has proven, his linemate, Jordan Eberle, has but to begin discovering his scoring contact after an early-season damage. Barzal has not assisted on any of the objectives scored by Eberle this yr, carrying the primary line for New York.
New York Islanders centre Mathew Barzal scores on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Garret Sparks (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)
The format of the All-Star Sport will likely be Three-on-Three and can play proper into Barzal’s abilities. This season, he has excelled in extra time establishing each Devon Toews and Nelson for game-winners. Barzal’s stick-handling potential and puck management enable him to dictate any extra time he performs in. Barzal went an unbelievable 58 seconds with puck possession towards the Vegas Golden Knights earlier this month earlier than Ryan Pulock scored on the subsequent shift to win the sport. Barzal additionally has two shootout objectives this season towards the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins and will definitely be capable to show his expertise within the abilities competitors.
All-Star Sport 2019
It’s onerous to argue that Barzal’s line final season with Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby within the All-Star Sport in San Jose was something aside from the perfect trio on the ice. Regardless of Crosby successful the MVP, Barzal scored two objectives and had three assists to steer the Metropolitan Division over the Central Division. His group was rewarded by splitting $1 million between them.
Metropolitan Division’s Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders, skates by Atlantic Division’s Steven Stamkos, of the Tampa Bay Lightning. (AP Photograph/Tony Avelar)
“The best way he holds onto the puck, the way in which he skates, Three-on-Three, I don’t know if there’s anybody higher with regards to holding onto it,” stated Crosby. “The best way that he can simply beat you 1-on-1, beat you along with his pace, maintain onto it. You watch him on the market towards the perfect, I don’t see anybody that actually beats him in that class.”NBC Sports activities
Becoming a member of Barzal on the Metropolitan Division All-Star group will likely be Dougie Hamilton, Seth Jones, Kyle Palmieri, Artemi Panarin, Travis Konecny, John Carlson, Braden Holtby, and a substitute for the injured Joonas Korpisalo and Jake Guentzel as each group has the chance to let one participant compete.
Brock Nelson
Left off the NHL All-Star poll, Nelson can have the chance to be voted in by the followers for his first All-Star Sport later this month. After signing a seven-year contract extension within the offseason, Nelson is having a profession season serving to the Islanders get off to their terrific begin.
Extra time Success
Nelson has been one of many leagues greatest in extra time. In lower than half the season, Nelson has scored three extra time objectives, together with two in back-to-back video games towards the Pittsburgh Penguins. He additionally had one earlier within the yr towards the Columbus Blue Jackets. Nelson contributed an help on Anthony Beauvillier’s extra time objective in December and has 15 objectives and 31 factors.
New York Islanders’ Brock Nelson celebrates with Anthony Beauvillier (AP Photograph/Gene J. Puskar)
As a group, the Islanders have received six occasions in extra time and Nelson has been in on the scoring in 4 of these video games. He additionally has a shootout objective towards the Florida Panthers at first of the Islanders 10-game successful streak and club-record 17-game level streak. Nelson has three video games already this season of multi-goal video games, as he had tallies in regulation in each video games towards the Penguins earlier than his extra time objectives after which two extra towards the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“Brock has been form of underneath the radar and never lots of people have talked about him,” Trotz stated. “That is possibly a little bit of a primary step of attending to the subsequent stage is getting the popularity of what you do as a participant and the way constant he has been.”
Competitors for Last Spot
Apart from Teuvo Teravainen and Mika Zibanejad, Nelson has extra factors than any of the opposite forwards up for voting. When selecting an all-star, particular person success must be an element, however group success must be simply as necessary. Like voting for an MVP, gamers on shedding groups shouldn’t be rewarded for on the high of the standings. The Islanders at the moment sit tied in second place within the Metropolitan Division and Nelson has single-handedly earned New York three factors along with his extra time heroics.
Solely the Washington Capitals have extra factors than the Islanders and with three defensemen already on the Metropolitan Division, it might make sense for one more ahead to make it. Plus, Three-on-Three is rather more thrilling with two forwards and one defenseman than the opposite means. For the Capitals, T.J. Oshie has fewer factors and has not contributed to his group as a lot as Nelson.
Additionally, different candidates like Letang and Claude Giroux have performed in a mixed 11 All-Star Video games. Contemplating each group will get a consultant, it leaves out a few of the youthful gamers who don’t get as a lot consideration. Additionally, a few of the high gamers akin to Alexander Ovechkin select not even to attend. It’s time the NHL begins rewarding guys who wish to take part and those which have earned it.
This yr, the reigning Stanley Cup champions within the Blues are internet hosting the occasion. The festivities will start on Jan. 24-25 as the remainder of the NHL will get a compulsory four-day break.
