Alberta rivals chilling out for All-Star Game

ST. LOUIS » The “Battle of Alberta” seems unlikely to carry over to the NHL All- Star Game on Saturday night.

Agitating Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk is on the Pacific Division team with forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl of the archrival Oilers.

“They are great players,” Tkachuk said. “This isn’t an event to talk about stuff like (the rivalry). This is an event where the best players in the sport are coming here and playing on the same team and going out and having some fun, putting on a show for the fans.”

Tkachuk recently drew the Oilers’ ire with a couple of big hits on Zack Kassian. When Kassian challenged him to a fight on Jan. 11, Tkachuk declined. Kassian punched away anyway, earning a two-game NHL suspension.

Draisaitl suggested he would leave the ice rather than take a shift with Tkachuk in the All- Star Game.

“It’s such a different atmosphere here, you will be able to put it aside,” said Flames defenseman Mark Giordano, another Pacific team member. “We’re all professional, everybody is going to be professional about it.”

• Enjoying a homecoming is Capitals forward T. J. Oshie. He was a fan favorite during his tenure with the Blues from 2008- 09 to 2014-15.

“I got in a little trouble here when I was younger and no one turned their back on me,” Oshie said. “They’ve always been so great to me, and I think that’s why it makes it so special to be back here in St. Louis and play in my first All- Star Game here.”

• Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet is coaching the Pacific team in place of fired Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant. That was the NHL’s seventh coaching change this season.

“This year has been probably worse than most, which is unfortunate,” said Blues coach Craig Berube, who is coaching the Central team. “It’s hard to watch, to be honest with you.”