The Bolts
Tampa Bay Lightning sniper Nikita Kucherov led the All-Star tournament in goal scoring with a hat trick in the Semi-Finals against the Metro Division.
First goal: a classic writer from a breakaway pass by teammate-to-be Erik Karlsson.
Karlsson ➡️ Kucherov! #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/HgqMCkMie1
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 28, 2018
Second goal: Karlsson was replaced by Steven Stamkos on the play but it still looked good, I guess.
Some #NHLAllStar passing. pic.twitter.com/06P1s0btBA
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 28, 2018
Third goal: Kucherov sccored a goal on a move I didn’t think was possible for him. He sccored without taking a shot! (He previously did this on a shootout goal.)
Congrats on the #NHLAllStar hatty, @86Kucherov! pic.twitter.com/7Rb3U4ECIf
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 28, 2018
Coach Cooper encourages his players to throw their helmets for @86Kucherov‘s hatty. pic.twitter.com/wSA6wd7Pbh
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 28, 2018
After spending the weekend with the AHL Syracuse Crunch, Louis Domingue is heading back up to back up in Tampa Bay. [CBS Sports]
“As anticipated, Domingue will rejoin the team after the All-Star break, and serve as the backup to Andrei Vasilevskiy while Peter Budaj (leg) remains on injured reserve. Still, it’s unlikely the 25-year-old is given the starting nod very often, as Vasilevskiy’s play has been among the best in the NHL.”
Willie O’Ree was honored at the All-Star Game with the Lightning Foundation’s Community Hero grant for breaking the hockey color barrier in 1958. [Raw Charge]
“Although O’Ree is not a resident of Tampa Bay, this award was given in honor of his service to the game of hockey, awarding him for the perseverance to break into an all-white sport as the very first black player in 1958, playing for the Boston Bruins.”
Willie O’Ree is in the house! 💛 #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/FyWz172vZb
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 28, 2018
Kucherov’s hat trick may have propelled the Atlantic Division to the Final round of the All-Star tournament, but Detroit Red Wing Mike Green’s two goals weren’t enough to beat the eventual winner, the Pacific Division. [NHL dot com]
“The Pacific Division, however, won the 3-on-3 All-Star Tournament for the second time in three years, downing the Atlantic 5-2 in the Final.
“Vancouver rookie Brock Boeser captured MVP honors in an online fan vote, joining Mario Lemieux (1985 in Calgary) as the only rookie to do so at an All-Star Game. Boeser tallied the game-winning goal in the Pacific’s 5-2 semifinal win over the Central and added a goal and an assist in the Final.”
Psst. read the comments!
Thank you Tampa. Had a blast down here. #NHLAllStarGame
— Erik Karlsson (@ErikKarlsson65) January 29, 2018
The best and worst of the All-Star Weekend by friend-of-the-site Greg Wyshynski. [ESPN]
“The New Jersey Devils forward was the beating heart of All-Star Weekend, as a late addition to the team after Taylor Hall injured his hand. Boyle, who has battled chronic myeloid leukemia since last September, was celebrated by his teammates and received roaring ovations from the Tampa Bay Lightning fans in attendance, as he played for the Bolts for three seasons.”
Brian Boyle interview complete with chants for him. pic.twitter.com/htJsfZPwmQ
— Raw Charge (@RawCharge) January 28, 2018
The Prospects
On the night of the NHL’s All-Star Game, it was also the first day of the AHL’s All-Star Weekend festivities. Sunday: the Skills Competition.
Here are some highlights of Mitchell Stephens representing the blue, orange, and white.
Here we go, boys. 🌟 #AHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/FlmexSRM02
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) January 29, 2018
Hustle!
#SyrCrunch forward @Stephens2727 is the first leg of his Sher-Wood Puck Control Relay.
The East Conference picks up two points in the first event. #AHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/b6A4XeCzFO
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) January 29, 2018
Meep! Meep!
14.072 💨 #AHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/CWfL81EbA0
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) January 29, 2018
Sneaky.
Just @Stephens2727 out here doing what he does best. 🚨 #AHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/LiVkMdHRHE
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) January 29, 2018
And finish it off with an interview! (Hi, Lukas!)
The 2018 #AHLAllStar Classic Skills Competition is in the books. pic.twitter.com/Ye9YKbTObl
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) January 29, 2018
(Keep your eyes open for some Syracuse Crunch recaps at 9am today… You didn’t hear it from me!)
The Game
The NHL announced a few things during the All-Star Weekend, the first of which being that the fine city of San Jose will be hosting the 2019 All-Star festivities. More sun!!! [Fear the Fin]
“As announced during the current All-Star Weekend, San Jose will be hosting the 2019 NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center. The Sharks have only hosted once previously, more than 20 years ago in 1997. The All-Star weekend festivities will run Jan. 25-27, 2019.”
if san jose gets the 2019 all star game and legendary san jose rock band smash mouth doesn’t get an invite to perform their hit single “all star” the nhl will be dead to me
— sie nicole ✌ (@nowyousieme) January 27, 2018
P.K. Subban mic’d up at the All-Star Weekend concert. Enough said.
Wes McCauley was back with his elaborate calls at the All-Star Game, and his used his powers for evil against future Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Karlsson. [SB Nation]
WES McCAULEY 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/dG4l6UkFKI
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 28, 2018
Jaromir Jagr will be placed on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract. Sad face. [SB Nation] [Matchsticks and Gasoline]
“The Calgary Flames have placed forward Jaromir Jagr on waivers Sunday, reports TSN’s Bob McKenzie. His NHL career is likely over unless another team steps up to claim the forward, who is on a one-year, $1 million contract. The other 30 teams will have until noon ET on Monday to decide whether to place claims on the future Hall of Famer.”
Highlight of the Night: two good American boys showing off the NHL’s review policy with an amazing goal celebration. Auston told Jack to do the move if he scored right after Karlsson’s no-goal.
