It was a typical NHL All-Star Game -- at least from a scoring standpoint. For the second time in three years (there was no game last year because of the Winter Olympics break), both teams in the game scored more than 10 goals.
This time, instead of East and West or North America vs. the World, the teams were picked in playground style by their captains, Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings and Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Many of the Blackhawks wound up on Team Staal and Patrick Sharp, making his first All-Star appearance, was named MVP of the game for scoring a goal and having two assists. Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith all contributed assists in the game, and former Blackhawks Dustin Byfuglien and Martin Havlat also contributed to scoring, Big Buff with a goal, and Havlat with three assists.
These games are entertaining, but not real hockey, at least not the way it's played during the NHL regular season, because of the lack of hitting and defensive play. You almost have to feel sorry for the goalies, who are almost like the sliding goaltenders you see in table hockey games.
The Blackhawks resume the regular season schedule on Tuesday night in Columbus vs. the Blue Jackets, the first of a six-game road trip that's crucial to their playoff hopes.
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