NHL All Star Game 2012: Players Who Will Make Their Mark in Ottawa

As we edge ever closer to the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, there are several stars who figure to make an impact on Sunday in Ottawa.

Despite superstar Alex Ovechkin pulling out this week, there will still be plenty of talent on the ice as fans are treated to some of the best the NHL has to offer.

Here are three players I see blistering the ice on Sunday.

Scott Hartnell, LW, Philadelphia Flyers

Appearing in his first All-Star Game, Hartnell rebounded after a tough start to the season to be part of a threatening trio with Claude Giroux and Jaromir Jagr. He has 44 points on the season (25 goals, 19 assists) and scored a hat trick against the Boston Bruins on Jan. 22. The 29-year-old veteran has almost scored as many points as he did all of last season in just 48 games.

Logan Couture, C, San Jose Sharks

A true up-and-comer in the NHL, third-year pro Logan Couture has developed into a complete player, notching 36 points this season (21 goals, 15 assists). He has four points in his last three games and scored two goals against the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 21. Couture is one of several young players who is finally starting to hit his stride and making a mark in the league. At 22 years old, this is just the beginning.

Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Evgeni Malkin has arguably been the best player in the NHL this season, racking up a league-high 58 points (26 goals, 32 assists). The 25-year-old has simply been outstanding and is one of the reasons the Penguins appear set to make the playoffs this season. He saw a six-game goal-scoring streak come to an end against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, but this is the kind of player who won't be held down for long.