For most of the first two decades, the game was played before the season and matched the previous season\u2019s Stanley Cup winner against a team of all-stars from other teams. The 1967 expansion led to a shift to West vs. East and to playing the game at mid-season.
Other years, the teams were Wales vs. Campbell, then the names of the conferences. Later came the North American stars vs. World stars, and teams named after distinguished players, such as the Team Toews vs. Team Foligno game in Columbus in 2015. Alas, Team Toews never got to defend its title because that format was scrapped, too. In Olympic years, there\u2019s no All-Star game.
Eager to revive interest in the game \u2014 and to capitalize on the excitement generated during three-on-three overtime \u2014 the NHL made a radical change at last season\u2019s game in Nashville by switching to a division-based mini-tournament. It was a critical and competitive success and will be repeated Sunday.
Players were divided into four teams, based on the division in which they play. Each team will have six forwards, three defensemen and two goaltenders. The respective captains were determined in fan balloting; the winners were center Connor McDavid of Edmonton ( Pacific Division ), defenseman P. K. Subban of Nashville (Central), goaltender Carey Price of Montreal (Atlantic) and center Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh (Metropolitan). Members of the NHL\u2019s hockey operations staff selected the other 40 players.
Each team will play a 20-minute, three-on-three game Sunday. The winners will advance to the finale, with $1 million to be awarded to the winner. Last season, the Pacific Division beat the Central Division , 9-6, in its first game and defeated the Atlantic Division , 1-0, in an entertaining finale to earn the prize money.
The winning team in Saturday\u2019s skills competition earned the right to choose its first opponent on Sunday and whether it will play the first semifinal or second semifinal.
It promises to be fun, but it\u2019s probably not worth the effort of memorizing the rules because they\u2019ll likely change again in the next few years.
Chargers owners Dean and John Spanos talk about the team as it prepares to relocate to L. A.
New Rams Coach Sean McVay talks about his vision for the team.
Lindsey Thiry and Nathan Fenno discuss the Chargers’ announcement they are moving to Los Angeles.
The Rams introduced Sean McVay as their new coach. Bill Plaschke, Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry react to his first news conference.
The Chargers are moving from San Diego to Los Angeles. Will there be a turf war with the Rams? Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry discuss the possibility.
The Chargers are moving from San Diego to Los Angeles. Will there be a turf war with the Rams? Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry discuss the possibility.<\/p>\n