NHL All-Star Game 2011: 10 Things We Learned

There was a lot of anticipation for the NHL All-Star Game this year because of all the changes made.

Would it live up to the hype? Would it be a good game? Would Ovechkin make headlines again?

The answer to all questions: Yes.

Yes, it lived up to the hype. Yes, it was an awesome game. And yes, Ovechkin made headlines again: he caused the first All-Star Game penalty shot!

And the NHL All-Star Draft was pretty cool, too.

Here are 10 things we learned from this year's ASG.

10. Sidney Crosby's Absence Was All Hype

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on while playing against the Washington Capitals during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jami

Honestly, if you watched the All-Star Game, you didn’t miss Sidney Crosby. Sure, his presence would have been nice with the year he’d been having before his injury.

But really, only hockey lovers watch the NHL All-Star Game.

I know the game is meant to solicit non-fans, but hockey lovers enjoyed watching some of the less-publicized stars show off their talents, instead of focusing on the same guys: Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin.

Those other stars finally got their chance in the spotlight. Even without Crosby, we were still able to enjoy the game.

9. The All-Star Game Is All About Offense

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RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 30: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of New York Rangers defends against a third period penalty shot by Team Lidstrom player Matt Duchene #9 of the Colorado Avalanche in the 58th NHL All-Star Game at RBC Center on January 30, 2011 in Raleigh, N

Yes, every position is represented by its best players in the league in the NHL All-Star Game. However, those tuning in are expecting to see goals.

They weren't disappointed this year.

The offensive All-Stars put up a great night—21 goals were scored in total.

Letting in 21 goals doesn’t make for great defensive stats, but that’s what the All-Star Game is really good for: showing off offense and finesse skills.

The great defense will come out during the playoffs.

8. The Lightning Have Come a Long Way

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RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 29: Martin St. Louis #26 and Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning look on during the Honda NHL SuperSkills competition part of 2011 NHL All-Star Weekend at the RBC Center on January 29, 2011 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Ph

Ever since the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup, they haven’t been able to get back to where they were then. No one has taken them very seriously the past few years.

Lightning fans—you get the last laugh though.

Tampa Bay's executives—including new GM Steve Yzerman—put together a great team. Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos were recognized for their tremendous years so far and they didn’t disappoint at the All-Star Game—each scored a goal for Team Lidstrom.

St. Louis and Stamkos are both very talented, and they’re both finally getting the recognition they deserve (again, for St. Louis).

7. Splitting Up the Sedin Twins Should Be a Crime

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RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 30: Daniel Sedin #22 of the Vancouver Canucks and Team Staal talks to is brother Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks and Team Lidstrom after Team Lidstrom defeated Team Staal 11 to 10 in the 58th NHL All-Star Game at RBC Cente

Daniel and Henrik have never played team hockey against each other. They were hoping after this weekend that they would still be able to say that.

Alas, it was not meant to be. Daniel was selected by Team Staal in the NHL All-Star Draft, then Henrik by Team Lidstrom.

Everyone knows that the Sedins generate a lot of offense on their line in Vancouver. But they were pretty quiet during the ASG—probably because they were on different teams. Daniel helped Team Staal out early, but other than that, we didn’t get much from the Sedin twins.

From now on, the Sedins shouldn't be allowed to be split up.

6. Jeff Skinner = Justin Bieber

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RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 28: Jeff Skinner of the Carolina Hurricanes answers questions during NHL All Star Player Media Availability apart of the 2011 NHL All-Star Weekend at the Raleigh Convention Center on January 28, 2011 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Ph

Okay, this really doesn’t have to do with the actual NHL All-Star Game, but I couldn’t resist.

Eric Staal calling 18-year-old Carolina Hurricanes Rookie Jeff Skinner (the youngest NHL All-Star Game participant ever) “The Justin Bieber of Raleigh” was my favorite moment from the weekend.

I think Staal said this because Skinner is a young, sought-after heartthrob in Raleigh, not because he's an annoying teenager from Canada.

I wonder how Skinner's singing voice is.

5. Marc-Andre Fleury Shouldn't Have Been the Starting Goaltender

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RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 30: Daniel Sedin #22 of the Vancouver Canucks and Team Staal scores their first goal against Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Team Lidstrom in the 58th NHL All-Star Game at RBC Center on January 30, 2011 in Ralei

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury got his season off to a slow start. But, when NHL All-Star Game voting began, he stepped his game up.

Talk about impeccable timing.

Out of all the All-Star goaltenders, I think Fleury disappointed the most. He let in four quick goals, allowing Team Staal an early 4-0 lead.

Team Staal was loaded with offensive talent, but still—four goals that quickly, Fleury? Come on.

Tim Thomas should have been the starting goalie.

4. Older Guys Still Got It, But Young Guys Got It Too

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 30: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of New York Rangers makes a save on a third period penalty shot by Team Lidstrom player Matt Duchene #9 of the Colorado Avalanche in the 58th NHL All-Star Game at RBC Center on January 30, 2011 in Raleigh, N

The Veterans

Nicklas Lidstrom was a plus-six on the night, Martin St. Louis had a goal and an assist, and Danny Briere notched two goals. Great night for them.

The Youngsters

Claude Giroux and Matt Duchene scored goals. And, it doesn’t seem like they’re so young after the careers they’ve had so far, but Jonathan Toews, Rick Nash, and Alex Ovechkin had good games, too.

3. All-Star Time = Family Time

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RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 30: Brent Burns #8 of the Minnesota Wild and Team Lidstrom holds his daughter Peyton after they defeated Team Staal 11 to 10 in the 58th NHL All-Star Game at RBC Center on January 30, 2011 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruc

Okay this one isn't really about the NHL All-Star Game either, but when I saw that picture, I just had to include it.

During the long hockey season, with all the travel, the players often don't get to see their kids as much as they'd like. It's nice for them to be able to spend some quality time with them during the All-Star break.

I heard some of the parents, like Briere, St. Louis, and Lidstrom, talk about how nice it is for them to be able to share the experience with their kids, especially when they're at the age when they can really appreciate the significance of what their dad is a part of.

But even little Peyton Burns looks like she's enjoying time on the All-Star ice with Daddy, Minnesota Wild Brent Burns.

2. Shea Weber Is a Beast

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RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 30: (EDITORS NOTE: A special effects camera filter was used for this image.) Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators for Team Lidstrom poses for a portrait before the 58th NHL All-Star Game at RBC Center on January 30, 2011 in Rale

First, he almost took home the Hardest Shot win in the NHL SuperSkills Competition. Then during the actual game, he was a plus-seven, including four assists. 

The Nashville Predators' captain has a reputation as more tough guy than skilled hockey player. After the weekend he had, I think there’s no question that he’s both.

1. The New Format Worked

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RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 30: Team Lidstrom captain Nicklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings shakes hands with Team Staal captain Eric Staal #12 of the Carolina Hurricanes after Team Lidstrom defeated Team Staal 11 to 10 in the 58th NHL All-Star Game at

I will admit that I had a negative reaction to the changes to the All-Star format. I wasn’t sure what to think of the adjustments.

But after watching the NHL All-Star Draft on Friday night, I was convinced that the modifications were for the better. The Draft was entertaining and made me excited for the NHL All-Star Game. 

The game itself was entertaining, too. After the first four quick Team Staal goals, I, like I'm sure a lot of other people, thought it was going to be a disappointing blowout.

But Team Lidstrom pulled it out for an exciting come-from-behind win. Plus, it went down to the last seconds. Eric Staal's goal with 33 seconds left caused an adrenaline rush, as I thought the game might go into overtime.

It didn't, but it was a great ending to a great game.  

I think this was a lot better than just seeing Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference. I hope they keep this format for future NHL All-Star Games.