SAN JOSE, Calif. – The 2019 Honda All-Star Game is in the books, with the Metropolitan Division taking home the million dollar prize. Sidney Crosby returned from a few sick days to earn the Most Valuable Player honors, winning a new Honda and the trophy.
The game layout included two 10-minute halves, then the winner of each of the first two games would play in the final, also in the same format.
In the first semi-final, the Pacific Division and local favorite, went down fairly quickly to the Central Division in a 10-4 final score. Goals off the sticks of Erik Karlsson (SJS) (2 goals), Johnny Gaudreau (CGY), and Brent Burns (SJS).
Central Division goals were credited to Mikko Rantanen (COL) (3 goals), Roman Josi (NSH), Patrick Kane (CHI), Mark Scheifele (WPG), Gabriel Landeskog (COL) (3 goals), and Ryan O’Reilly (STL).
The next semi-final match between the Metropolitan Division and the Atlantic Division started the first half fairly close. With Sidney Crosby (PIT) and Seth Jones (CBJ) each scoring early, only to be matched back up when Jack Eichel (BUF) and Steven Stamkos (TBL) scored to even the score. Jones scored again to put the Met up 3-2 going into the second half.
Jeff Skinner (BUF) and John Tavares (TOR) scored the next two goals, but that would be all the Atlantic Division could muster, as Crosby, Kris Letang (PIT), Sebastian Aho (CAR), and Cam Atkinson (CBJ) scored for the Metropolitan Division for a game final of 7-4.
In the Final game, the Metropolitan Division handily took the game from the Central Division in a 10-5 final, opening the game with six goals before Central could even get on the board. Goal scorers for the Met’s included Mathew Barzal (NYI) (2 goals), Claude Giroux (PHI), Letang, Jones, Kyle Palmieri (NJD), Crosby (2 goals), Aho and Atkinson (2 goals).
Central Division’s five goals came off the sticks of Landeskog, Ratanen (2 goals), O’Reilly, and Blake Wheeler (WPG).
Crosby and Barzal set single-game records for the 3-on-3 format with five points each in the game final.
Of the 44 players on the roster this year, 13 of them made their debut appearance, including, Aho, Barzal, John Carlson (WSH), Thomas Chabot (OTT), Leon Draisaitl (EDM), Miro Heiskanen (DAL), Clayton Keller (ARI), Landeskog, Palmieri, David Pastrnak (BOS), Elias Pettersson (VAN), Rantanen and Scheifele.
Here’s some of the best shots from the day.
Metropolitan Division Team awarded a million dollar check for winning the All-Star game – Photo by Jack Lima
All-Star Game MVP Sidney Crosby answers questions during the post game press conference – Photo by Jack Lima
All-Star Game MVP Sidney Crosby scores against goalie Pekka Rinne – Photo by Jack Lima
Seth Jones scores a goal in Game 2 past Atlantic goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy – Photo by Jack Lima
Seth Jones collides with goalie Devan Dubnyk – Photo by Jack Lima
Metropolitan goalie Henrik Lundqvist stops a scoring attempt by Auston Matthews (34) as John Carlson (74) defends – Photo by Jack Lima
Metropolitan goalie Branden Holtby stretches to stop a shot by David Pastrnak – Photo by Jack Lima
Ryan O’Reilly (90) looks to make a pass as John Carlson defends – Photo by Jack Lima
Mathew Barzal (13) opens the scoring in the championship game with a goal past goalie Devan Dubnyk – Photo by Jack Lima
Central goalie Devan Dubnyk makes a sprawling save on a shot by Joe Pavelski – Photo by Jack Lima
Erik Karlsson (Left) celebrates his second goal with Brent Burns – Photo by Jack Lima
Gabriel Landeskog (92) scores against Pacific goalie Marc-Andre Fleury – Photo by Jack Lima
Metropolitan goalie Henrik Lundqvist stops a shot by Auston Matthews (34) – Photo by Jack Lima
Pacific goalie Marc-Andre Fleury comes out of his net to challenge Ryan O’Reilly – Photo by Jack Lima
Mikko Rantaneb (96) opens Game 1 scoring with a goal past Pacific goalie John Gibson – Photo by Jack Lima
Metropolitan goalie Henrik Lundqvist stops a shot by Jack Eichel (9) – Photo by Jack Lima
Kyle Palmieri (21) moves the puck up ice past Auston Matthews – Photo by Jack Lima
Central goalie Devan Dubnyk dives to stop a shot by Brent Burns – Photo by Jack Lima
Central goalie Devan Dubnyk makes a glove save on a shot by Connor McDavid – Photo by Jack Lima
Linesman Ryan Galloway jumps to avoid Cam Atkinson (13) – Photo by Jack Lima
Mathew Barzal looks to make a pass – Photo by Jack Lima
Erik Karlsson scores past Pekka Rinne – Photo by Jack Lima
Central goalie Pekka Rinne makes a stop on a shot by Elias Pettersson (40) – Photo by Jack Lima
Kris Letang scores past Atlantic goalie Jimmy Howard – Photo by Jack Lima
SAP Center San Jose – Photo by Jack Lima
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty entertains the crowd – Photo by Jack Lima
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