Cape Breton Post

League leading Lightning get four All Stars as they play host

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The league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning’s top performers will be on full display when the city hosts NHL All-Star Weekend later this month.

Top scorer Nikita Kucherov, goaltender Andrei Vasilevski­y and defenceman Victor Hedman will join captain Steven Stamkos for the skills competitio­n and 3-on-3 tournament Jan. 27 and 28 in Tampa, Florida. Kucherov has the most points in the league and Vasilevski­y the most victories in leading the Lightning to an NHLbest 65 points so far this season.

“It’s going to be a great showcase of a hockey city,’’ Stamkos said. “To be able to share that moment with them is going to be special, especially in front of our home fans who greatly deserve something like this and I’m sure we’ll put on a great show.’’

With four players on the Atlantic Division team, Tampa Bay has the most representa­tion for the showcase event. The Los Angeles Kings will send three players to Tampa: centre Anze Kopitar, defenceman Drew Doughty and goalie Jonathan Quick. The league announced the full All-Star rosters on Wednesday as selected by the NHL’s hockey operations department.

Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang of the defending Stanley Cupchampio­n Pittsburgh Penguins were added to the Metropolit­an Division team that also includes Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin and goalie Braden Holtby. New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist was selected to his fourth All-Star Weekend, and Florida Panthers centre Aleksander Barkov will head to his first.

“Sasha has earned the right to be counted among the league’s elite,’’ Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said. “A cornerston­e of our franchise, he is among the game’s most exceptiona­l twoway players and is incredibly deserving of this honour.’’

The surprise Vegas Golden Knights got two All-Stars: goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and winger James Neal. The expansion franchise is atop the Pacific Division with the most success so far of any NHL team in its inaugural season.

“There could have been a lot of guys from this team that got to go,’’ Fleury said. “We’ve got so many guys stepping up throughout the season. (Jonathan Marchessau­lt) has 40 points right now. That’s awesome. William Karlsson has scored so many important goals for our team. (Backup goalie Malcolm) Subban has been playing great in net, too. I wish the other guys could do this, too, and be a part of it.’’

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