Jack Campbell makes 36 saves for the @Condors in their 2-1 win at Texas.
Campbell has a .935 SVP in his last 7 starts in Bakersfield– Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) February 4, 2024
“Because obviously, the show offered to the fans wasn’t necessarily great.
When I was younger, All-Star weekend was a big draw for me. I loved seeing the best players in the world compete against each other in a friendly match, where feints and beautiful plays are more popular…
But I was 12 at the time. And now, it’s hard for me to make the effort to watch the activities surrounding All-Star weekend because it’s boring, often.
Yesterday’s games left me indifferent. The players’ effort was better than in recent years, at least… But I found it hard to enjoy watching the players on the ice.
And on top of that, it was 3-on-3… Which always leaves plenty of action in a normal game. It’s all very well for the league to change its formula to interest more people, but still…
I must admit, however, that on Friday night, I enjoyed the skills competition. The evening wasn’t perfect (and Kucherov played a role in that), but I thought the event was a lot better than last year’s in Florida or the one before that in Vegas.
Players could earn ranking points by winning events, and the guys put on a show. I’m thinking in particular of Connor McDavid, who stole the show by demonstrating the full extent of his talent.
The Oilers captain really, really impressed the gallery. The fans on hand got their money’s worth (even if ticket prices were astronomically high).
Justin Bieber finally understood that, too. The singer looked like a guy who just wasn’t interested during last Thursday’s player draft, but he was at every one of his team’s fights yesterday, wearing his best coat (or was he? ):
Justin Bieber: Team Matthews’ biggest fan pic.twitter.com/dcjEbizdVD
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 3, 2024
In the end, it was Auston Matthews’ team that won the final against McDavid and Nick Suzuki.
Suzuki was a little discreet on the ice… But the chemistry that quickly developed between him and Boone Jenner was particularly noticeable.
The Canadiens’ captain assisted the Blue Jackets’ captain on a beautiful goal, and the connection between the two players was palpable:
BOOOOONE
Nick Suzuki sets up Boone Jenner to tie things up! @Rogers | #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/mABEeScyak
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 3, 2024
Suzuki spoke of a “secret connection” between the two players… And that made me laugh.
Savard and Jenner played together for several years in Columbus… And Jenner had good things to say about the defenseman:
He’s a fantastic teammate, the best. – Boone Jenner
That’s saying a lot!
But why trade David Savard? A heartfelt plea from Boone Jenner https://t.co/eruSdM5D7m
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) February 4, 2024
In bursts
– He’s got his touch back.
– Why not!
My idea for next year’s All-Star Skills: A “rage room” event where guys just blast slap shots to destroy as many household items as they possibly can
– Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) February 4, 2024
– He deserves the chance to have a job in the NHL.
A little update on one-time Oilers coach Todd Nelson. He won his second AHL title as a head coach last year. This year his Hershey Bears are 36-8-2, which puts them on pace to be the best AHL team ever (eclipsing the 92-93 Binghamton Rangers).
He’s coached 46 career NHL games.
– Jonathan Willis (@JonathanWillis) February 4, 2024
– No worse.
Sergei Bobrovsky this season:
23-10-2 record
– 893/981 saves
– .910 sv% (.6% above league average)
– 7.3 Goals Saved above Expected
– 2 shutouts
– NHL All-Star
– Starting goalie on #2 team in East.Bob’s season has flown pretty hard under the radar. pic.twitter.com/KSsMD1Aw3D
– Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) February 4, 2024
– Big loss for the Bulls.
Zach LaVine will miss the rest of the seasonhttps://t.co/REx4XFOyPu
– RDS (@RDSca) February 4, 2024