2012 NHL All-Star Game: Underrated Stars Who Will Shine on Big Stage

Since there are so many terrific players at All-Star weekend, a couple guys always get overlooked because they don't have the same leaguewide reputation. It also gives those underrated players a chance to make a name for themselves in the NHL's yearly star-studded exhibition.

With that in mind, here are three players who will have big games in Ottawa. Also, for a full listing of the All-Star Game rosters, here's a link to the league's official site.

Jamie Benn

Benn has made steady progress since joining the league in 2009. He's always possessed a goal-scoring touch, but his improvement as a playmaker has turned him into an All-Star caliber player. The Dallas Stars winger is still a couple years from entering his prime, too.

Through 43 games, he's nearly on a point-per-game pace. That's mostly because he's become a lot more assertive, which is common once a player gains some experience. For Benn, that playing time has led to him using his great size more effectively in the offensive zone.

Players like Benn tend to dominate in All-Star Games. Since it's his first trip and he still has that youthful exuberance, he'll be playing a lot harder out than most there, which should lead to a couple goals.

Jason Pominville

It's been an extremely disappointing season for the big-spending Buffalo Sabres, but Pominville has been a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy outlook. He has 47 points and is one of the few players living up to expectations.

Getting a chance to play with a bunch of elite players should give Pominville a boost. He still prefers to set up other players as opposed to stealing the spotlight himself, so his eye-popping stats might be in the assists category.

Maybe Pominville can bring some magic back from the All-Star Game to Buffalo, otherwise it's going to be a long offseason for Sabres fans.

Keith Yandle

Even though Yandle is on pace to score fewer than his 59 points from last season, he's still one of the NHL's best puck-moving defenseman. He doesn't garner many headlines playing in Phoenix, but he would be a major star if he played in a bigger market.

Since he likes to get up and down the ice during a normal game, it will be fun to see him dangle when there's a lot more room to operate on Sunday. He should have no problem getting past defenders, who act more like pylons in the All-Star Game.

It's just too bad that after the game most of the casual fans won't get to see him showcase his talents again for awhile since the Coyotes don't get any national coverage.