NHL All Star Game 2012: Steven Stamkos and Most Likely Candidates for MVP

The NHL All-Star Game will be played on Sunday and there are many star players who have a chance to earn MVP honors in Ottawa.

All-Star Game MVP is a unique award that doesn't get the credit it deserves. Being able to stand out in a game full of the best players hockey has to offer is quite impressive, even if the game doesn't have the same competitive fire the regular season provides.

Let's look at the top candidates to win the MVP at the 2012 NHL All-Star Game.

Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins' superstar center leads the NHL with 58 points despite playing in just 42 games. Malkin has carried Pittsburgh this season while stars such as Sidney Crosby, James Neal and Jordan Staal have missed time because of injuries.

Malkin is on Team Chara at this year's game, and could have wingers alongside him such as Patrick Kane, Jarome Iginla, Tyler Seguin, Marian Gaborik and Corey Perry among others.

For Malkin not to score a goal in this game would be shocking, and with many talented players around him there's no reason to believe he can't rack up three to six points in this game and win the MVP award.

Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning forward is the best young offensive player in the sport and leads the NHL with 32 goals. Stamkos is also fifth in points with 52. In a game dominated by offensive talent, Stamkos has a tremendous chance to win the MVP in Ottawa Sunday afternoon.

With the possibility of Stamkos playing on a line with elite playmakers such as Claude Giroux or Henrik and Daniel Sedin, the Lightning star could dominate the stat sheet at the All-Star game and easily win the MVP award.

Jason Spezza, C, Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators forward is one of many hometown stars that will excite the crowd on Sunday, and he is the most likely of the Ottawa players to take home MVP honors.

Spezza is the Senators' most dangerous forward, and has scored 20 goals with 30 assists for 50 points this season.

If he plays on a line with teammates Daniel Alfredsson and Milan Michalek, Spezza will have good chemistry on his line which will give him an edge over the other players, many of whom will be unfamiliar with their linemates.

Spezza will certainly be a candidate for the MVP award Sunday.

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Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.