63rd All-Star Game
2:30 p.m. Sunday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. (Ch. 11)
Format
It's a 3-on-3 tournament with each of the league's four divisions represented by 11 players (six forwards, three defensemen, two goaltenders). Team Atlantic will play Team Metropolitan in the first 20-minute semifinal, followed by Team Central vs. Team Pacific. The winners advance to the championship for a $1 million prize.
Wild representative
Eric Staal, center: This will be Staal's fifth All-Star Game and his first as a member of the Wild. His last appearance was in 2011. He was the MVP of the 2008 game when he was with the Carolina Hurricanes. He leads the Wild this season in goals (20) and points (43).
Minn. connections
Blake Wheeler, F, Winnipeg: First-time All-Star at age 31. The Jets captain has 14 goals and 40 assists in 50 games. He is the eighth former Gophers player to be named an NHL All-Star.
Brock Boeser, F, Vancouver: The 20-year-old Burnsville native is the only rookie All-Star this season and the first Canucks rookie All-Star in 47 years. He leads all rookies in goals (24).
Brent Burns, D, San Jose: The former Wild defenseman is an All-Star for the fourth straight year and for the fifth time in his career. He leads the Sharks in scoring with 41 points (seven goals, 34 assists).
Did you know?
• The Tampa Bay Lightning, celebrating its 25th season, is hosting its first All-Star Game since 1999. Wayne Gretzky made the last of his 18 All-Star appearances that year and had a goal and two assists to capture MVP honors.
• The Lightning will be represented by a league-leading four players.
