5 reasons the NHL All-Star game will be worth watching.
After years of dwindling TV ratings for All-Star weekend, the league’s new format has delivered more viewers and more interest from the great players on the ice
The NHL knew things had to change with its All-Star Game.
Television ratings — not to mention the entertainment value — were bad and getting worse by the year. According to Sports Media Watch, the 2015 All-Star Game on NBCSN had only 1.2 million viewers. The 2012 game had 1.3 million, and the 2011 game had 1.5 million.
By comparison, last year’s NBA All-Star Game on TNT drew an average of 7.8 million viewers.
Suddenly, in 2016, the NHL stumbled upon a hit. A 3-on-3 tournament format was introduced with 11 players representing each of the four divisions. The games since then have largely been competitive and entertaining. It looks like it matters to the players. It looks like … actual hockey.
Players, understandably, still do not go all-out to win, thereby risking an unnecessary injury. But at least it’s become more palatable. The more wide-open format can create terrific individual moments, but teamwork is also necessary to have any success.
Hockey fans have responded. According to NBC, Total Audience Delivery for the 2016 game on NBCSN increased to 1.595 million. Last season’s TAD increased to 2.28 million viewers, as the game was shown on network televi-
sion (NBC) for the first time since 2004.
So here are five reasons Sunday’s NHL All-Star Game will again be worth watching — Kid Rock’s scheduled performance notwithstanding.
1. A UNIQUE MOMENT >> Since fans were robbed of the chance to watch NHL players in the Olympics, this will be our only chance to watch most of the world’s best players all in one arena. We can’t watch Vancouver’s Brock Boeser and Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau be teammates for Team USA, but they will be teammates for a day in Tampa this weekend.
Same goes for Canadian stars Brent Burns of the Sharks, Los Angeles’ Drew Doughty and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid. Come to think of it, that Pacific Division
team — which won the tournament in 2016 — looks pretty fun. 2. THERE’S USUALLY SOME
UNPREDICTABILITY >> In 2016, there was also a lot of buildup — positive and otherwise — surrounding the inclusion of noted tough guy John Scott on the Pacific Division team. The one-time Shark, after much outside consternation, ended up winning MVP honors, and Burns and Sharks captain Joe Pavelski could not have been happier.
Even going back a decade or two, there’s been some unforgettable moments. Locally, Owen Nolan famously called his shot in the 1997 game — the last time San Jose hosted the event — as he pointed to the top corner past goalie Dominik Hasek and proceeded to score in that exact spot.
3. A CLOSE FINISH >> There are rare moments in AllStar Games where time is running out, the outcome is in doubt and the players are
invested.
This happened in 2016 and 2017 toward the end of the final game of the tournament. Guys were genuinely trying.
Two years ago in the final game between the Pacific and Atlantic divisions, there was a coaches’ challenge — from celebrity coach Amy Grant, no less — nullifying a goal from Corey Perry.
After some tense moments, Team Pacific held on for a 1-0 win. Yes, a 1-0 win. In an All-Star Game. 4. THREE-ON-THREE HOCKEY IS JUST FUN >> Sure, in the regular season, overtime hockey is all about possession and creating a perfect scoring opportunity. That will still happen in Tampa on Sunday, but there will not be nearly as much structure.
These are mostly the best players in the world. They will want to make highlight-reel plays. 5. (HOPEFULLY) LESS BOGUS REVIEWS >> Goalie interference
calls, and “skate-offthe-ice, hovering-over-theblue-line” calls will probably be at a minimum. At least, we hope that’s the case after a half-season of inconsistent rulings on goalie interference and ridiculous after-the-fact offside calls.
No one needs lengthy frame-by-frame reviews Sunday to decide whether a player’s skate is or isn’t touching the ice at the time a puck crosses the blue line.
Put it this way — the games on Sunday will probably be exactly what they’re intended to be: Fun and competitive. Play-by-play man Doc Emrick will do his thing.
So will analyst Jeremy Roenick. It’s all good. These days, thanks to some changes, the NHL All-Star Game can stand on its own.
And if Kid Rock’s music (or politics) isn’t your thing, tune away. Just make sure to come back for the finish.