Team Alfredsson Set To Battle Team Chara

It’s hard to believe that scoring 10 goals was not enough to win either of the past two NHL All-Star Games.  But defense has simply not been a priority in hockey’s version of the midseason classic over the past 25 years, which is backed up by the fact that only one goaltender has been named MVP during that stretch.

The 2012 NHL All-Star Game promises to be more of the same, with players on both fantasy teams likely putting on another offensive show for fans and viewers alike.

Ottawa’s Scotiabank Place is the location of the 59th edition of the game for the first time ever as the Senators celebrate their 20th anniversary of returning to the league.  The puck is scheduled to be dropped at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday with television coverage provided by NBC Sports.

Festivities got underway on Thursday afternoon with a trophy procession to the Ottawa Convention Centre, opening the NHL Fan Fair.  Later in the day, All-Star Game captains Daniel Alfredsson of the host team and Zdeno Chara of the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins drafted players for their respective squads.  This is the second year the teams have been assembled with a fantasy-style draft.

Chara won the puck flip and selected Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk with the top overall pick while Alfredsson followed with Ottawa teammate and defenseman Erik Karlsson.  Chara then took Boston teammate and goalie Tim Thomas, and Alfredsson added another Senator in center Jason Spezza.  Alfredsson picked three Ottawa players overall compared to the two Bruins available for Chara.

There were 19 rounds in all, and the captains definitely showed a preference for their fellow countrymen as well.  Alfredsson will be joined by five other Swedes, including twin brothers Daniel and Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks.  Meanwhile, Chara will have both Slovak wingers on his team in Marian Hossa of the Chicago Blackhawks and Marian Gaborik of the New York Rangers.

Notably absent players from this year’s game include center Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, winger Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and center Jonathan Toews of the Blackhawks.  Toews (upper body) and Crosby (concussion-like symptoms) are both currently on injured reserve while Ovechkin is serving a three-game suspension and chose not to play because he did not think he deserved it.

Last year, Team Lidstrom edged Team Staal 11-10 as Loui Eriksson of the Dallas Stars scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal on an empty netter with 1:11 remaining.  The 21 combined goals tied for the fourth-highest total in NHL All-Star Game history, and two of the top three have taken place since 2000.  Thomas also earned the victory to become the first goalie to win three consecutive All-Star Games.

The NHL All-Star Skills Competition will also take place on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.  Events include the fastest skater, breakaway challenge, accuracy shooting, skills challenge relay, hardest shot and elimination shootout.