Short takes
• There were no surprises when the NHL announced the captains for the All-Star Game as voted on by the fans. The top vote-getters were Connor McDavid (Oilers), P.K. Subban (Predators), Alex Ovechkin (Capitals) and Steven Stamkos (Lightning). What will be more interesting is how each division fills out its roster. Center Eric Staal has to be a leading candidate to represent the Wild. Yes, goalie Devan Dubnyk has been a rock of late, winger Jason Zucker has had impressive stretches and defenseman Ryan Suter remains an anchor on the blue line. But Staal's offensive contributions (17 goals, 35 points) are worthy of the recognition.
• At the midway point of the season, the Vegas Golden Knights remain arguably the best story in the league. Although the team had its eight-game win streak nixed Thursday by the Blues, its competitiveness in Year 1 as a franchise has been startling. It looked like General Manager George McPhee was loading up on impending free agents through expansion to set himself up for a busy trade deadline, but it has to be difficult to subtract from this group amid this run. Perhaps the Golden Knights locking up forward Jonathan Marchessault recently with a six-year contract suggests they'll keep the team intact.
• Goalie Jeff Glass' emergence is inspiring. After stints in the minors and Kontinental Hockey League, Glass finally earned a look in the NHL with the Blackhawks at the age of 32 when No. 1 Corey Crawford went down (upper-body injury). Talk about perseverance.
