Today's All-Star Game makes me think of another tv show I enjoy watching, The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. I don't own a dog, but for some reason I am fascinated by this spectacle. (A lot of it has to do with the movie "Best in Show".) The NHL's best (or in Scott Hartnell's case, best-ish) are on display playing half-assed hockey. There is nothing to gain, which is fine. It's just a chance to see players play on a super line together after 10 minutes of practice. I'll watch it, but I'm not overtly excited to do so. By the way, why does the NHL choose to put this event up against the Pro Bowl? Of two boring events, the latter will always win.
For Ducks fans, we have but only one All-Star in the game tonight - reigning MVP and mini-stick handler, Corey Perry - and that's ok. Remember last year's All-Star game? Perry and Jonas Hiller (plus rookie Cam Fowler in the Skills Competition) represented the Ducks. And that's when things went horribly wrong. Many point to this game as to where Hiller's Vezina run came to an abrupt halt.
Hiller took a puck to the noggin during the All-Star game. While Hiller and the Ducks claim that didn't cause a concussion, many of us beg to differ. Hiller came back from Carolina as a completely different player. Considering how well Hiller is playing right now (and wasn't earlier), I am completely fine with the Ducks being represented by only one player. The mountain ahead of the Ducks in the second half requires everyone at their best.
Go Team Chalupa!