ToewsanAll-Star; Crowgetssnubbed
Staff Reporter
Jonathan Toews picks up honors like Pigpen attracts dirt. Corey Crawford, just the opposite.
So it probably shouldn’t have been a big surprise that Toews, who is having a productive but unspectacular season, joined teammate Patrick Kane on the Central Division roster for the NHL All-Star Game, while Crawford, who is having his best season and leads the league with six shutouts, was left off when the teams were announced Wednesday for the featured event of the “All-Star celebration” Jan. 31 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
As seems to be the case so often, circumstances fell in Toews’ favor. Toews came into the game Wednesday against the Penguins with 14 goals and 12 assists, with a plus-8 rating. But he leads the NHL in three-on-three overtime goals, and this season’s All-Star Game has a three-on-three format. This is Toews’ fifth All-Star selection.
“[Toews] is an amazing player; he’s so competitive,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “He shows up every shift. Every game’s important. He’s relentless in what he can or what he tries to do for his teammates to win every night. He’s a special player. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Crawford was beaten out by the Wild’s Devan Dubnyk— Minnesota’s only All-Star— and Pekka Rinne of the hometown Predators. Crawford’s 2.22 goals-against average and .925 save percentage are eighth among goalies who have started at least half of their team’s games. Rinne’s 2.43 goals-against average is 15th in the league. His .908 save percentage is 26th.
“There is some disappointment around the league with the different format, and the way it’s set up, ev- eryone’s represented,” Quenneville said. ‘‘He’s certainly deserving of it, but sometimes that’s the deal.”
The host Predators also have defensemen Shea Weber and Roman Josi on the Central Division team. Rinne appears to be a hometown choice.
“If that’s the case, there’s nothing wrong with that,” Quenneville said. “That’s one of the perks of entertainment. They get to see some of their own players. I don’t think you can say anything bad about their three players who are going there. We know how good those guys are. We’re not complaining here.”
All-Star cast
The Central Division roster: forwards Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin (Stars), Matt Duchene (Avalanche), Vladimir Tarasenko (Blues), Kane and Toews; defensemen Josi and Weber (Predators) and Dustin Byfuglien (Jets); goalies Dubnyk (Wild) and Rinne (Predators).
Saad a Star
Blue Jackets forward Brandon Saad was one of three former Hawks to make the All-Star Game. Byfuglien and Coyotes forward John Scott are the others.
Saad has 16 goals and 29 points — including six goals and 11 points in his last eight games.
No Panik
Quenneville said he had no news on when forward Richard Panik would join the team. The 24-year-old from Slovakia, who was acquired from the Maple Leafs for Jeremy
Morin, is having visa issues. “It’s not in our hands,” Quenneville said.