NHL All-Star Weekend Highlights: Alex Kovalev Proves Doubters Wrong

This weekend's All-Star festivities were the most interesting since the lockout.

The skills competition and All-Star Game were quite exciting—more so than in recent years.

Here are a few other highlights:

Kovalev's Homecoming

Alex Kovalev certainly showed he deserved to be in the game, and was named the MVP after scoring two goals, an assist, and the shootout winner in front of his hometown crowd in Montreal.

He may have been voted in as a starter, but he showed through his impressive skills in the fan voting shootout competition—and the game itself—that he belonged there.

Hopefully for Montreal fans, he can bring that play with him when he goes back to action with the Habs Tuesday night in Tampa Bay.

Alex and Evgeni—A Friendly Rivarly?

Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin seemed to be buddy-buddy at the All-Star skills competition, as Malkin helped Ovechkin put on a bucket hat with the Canadian flag and a pair of sunglasses to help Ovie win the fan-voting shootout. After the skills competition Saturday night, the two had dinner with each other as well.

They have said they're not friends but it appears the two super Russian players do respect one another, and I'm sure they'll give each other their best when they play head-to-head on Feb. 22. I guess their rivalry is more friendly and competitive than bitter.

Either way, those two never disappoint when their two respective teams play against each other.

Fast-Shooting Chara

Zdeno Chara set the new record for hardest/fastest shot with 105.4 mph. I think defenders will think twice about blocking the big Slovak's shot now.

No Playing Hooky

One thing I find to be unfair is the fact that both Datsyuk and Lidstrom must sit out their next game when they play the Columbus Blue Jackets. Lidstrom has been playing with tendinitis for several seasons—and wanted to use the break to rest up during the stretch—and Datsyuk left his last game against Phoenix with a sore hip flexor.

Both failed to attend the All-Star Game, and as a result have to miss their team's next game.

However, Sidney Crosby—the face of the NHL—doesn't have to miss his team's next game. He did attend the All-Star Game, but did not play. I feel this is a classic case of star treatment. He should have to sit out his team's next game as well.

Just because he was able to make an appearance at the All-Star Game shouldn't make a difference. He did play in his team's last game and shouldn't be allowed to play. Crosby finished his last game, Datsyuk left his game, and Datsyuk is the one being punished.

Overall Success

The All-Star Game itself was actually pretty exciting, despite there being no hitting. The game was filled with great plays, highlight goals, and spectacular saves.

The third period and overtime put a good frosting on the cake. Tim Thomas made some unbelievable saves to keep the East in it as they staggered through the West's comeback. He held his ground in OT as the East were down a man.

The East also played a very aggressive penalty kill that didn't stop them from taking some scoring chances.

A very exciting aspect was the chemistry between some of the All-Stars. The line of Ovechkin-Savard-Heatley seemed as though they've been playing together for years. (Savard and Heatley actually did play together down in Atlanta.) Malkin-Kovalev-Staal also played together nicely.

This year's game certainly showcased the NHL's most talented players in a very good light, and had one of the highest-scoring All-Star games in NHL history.