Are the NHL All-Star Game and Montreal Canadiens Linked in Success?

Last time the NHL's stars gathered in Montreal back on Feb. 6, 1993, the Wales Conference blew the Campbell Conference out of the water, 16-6.

In that game, played in the fabled Montreal Forum for the 11th and final time, Dave Manson of the Edmonton Oilers was assessed a penalty, on which Buffalo Sabres Alexander Mogilny tallied the last power play goal in an All-Star Game.

Montreal Canadiens goalie Patrick Roy was the starting goalie and New York Rangers forward Mike Gartner notched four goals, tying the All-Star record.

Washington Capitals Al Iafrate set the record for hardest shot with 105.2 mph and Gartner set the fastest skating time in All-Star history, while Boston Bruins Raymond Bourque hit four targets on four shots.

And both teams combined for 22 goals, the second most in All-Star Game history.

Sound familiar?

In 2009, Boston Bruins Zdeno Chara set the new record with a 105.4 mph slapper. Dany Heatley and Evgeni Malkin went four-for-four on the accuracy shooting, Montreal Canadiens starter Carey Price started in net, and surprise of all surprises, Montreal Canadiens Mike Komisarek got a penalty for hooking.

And in overtime no less.  

And both teams netted 22 goals combined.

To top it off, the Montreal Canadiens went on to win the Stanley Cup in 1993 when they last hosted the All-Star Classic.

Maybe I'm just an optimistic Canadiens fan looking for any connections to bring some hope that the Canadiens may win another Stanley Cup.

But the comparisons are there. Records were broken and set, Canadiens were in the All-Star Game in large numbers, and a player got a penalty!

The 1993 Canadiens were a mediocre team with a red-hot goaltender. That lineup was full of role players sprinkled with some scoring players such as Brian Bellows, Vincent Damphousse, and Kirk Muller.

This years edition of the Canadiens have those role players such as Steve Begin, Maxim Lapierre, and Tom Kostopolous with those who can score such as Andrei Kostitsyn, Robert Lang, and Alex Kovalev.

If the trend continues, maybe the Canadiens can capture their 25th Stanley Cup.

Then again, maybe not.

But the comparisons are there.

All we can do is watch, wait, and see.

Matt Eichel is the Community Leader for the Montreal Canadiens here on Bleacher Report.  Matt also co-hosts Habs All Out Radio, a in-depth talk radio show devoted to all things Montreal Canadiens.  It airs weekly at www.youcastr.com/shows/habs-all-out and is hosted by Matt and Miah D.