On Saturday afternoon, Las Vegas, Nevada, will host the first of two major professional sports league All-Star games. The 2022 NHL All-Star game precedes Sunday’s NFL Pro Bowl. Although All-Star Games in any sport are not what they used to be, Sin City is the one venue nobody will complain about traveling to for the festivities. In fact, the NHL will start the weekend on Friday night with its skills competition at 7:30 p.m. ET. Last year the All-Star Game was canceled because of COVID-19. Thus, there is more of an appetite for its return.
On Saturday, February 5, 2022, the NHL All-Star Game will be held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The format is a four-team tournament comprised of the Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, and Pacific Division All-Star teams. The action begins at 3 p.m. ET with television coverage on ABC and ESPN+.
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Odds Analysis
Naturally, the All-Star Game is a challenging handicap because of the fact that it is an exhibition. Also, in the NHL, the All-Star Game is a “no-hitter,” meaning that body checks and other physical contact is avoided at all costs. The result is a lot of offense and a pond hockey style that is far different from what fans see in a typical NHL game.
Along the same lines, the NHL All-Star Game has become more props-centric in the minds of gamblers. The betting public gravitates as much to the props odds for such items as the player with the most goals or points compared to which team will win.
Live betting is another popular option for the NHL All-Star Game. Cause by gamblers getting a better feel for which players are trying hard. Also, live betting allows bettors to evaluate goaltenders and each team. Over and under bets are very popular for the All-Star Game. While most gamblers like to get the action over the total, contrarian wagering on the under makes a lot of sense. Specifically, oddsmakers know that the betting public will prefer over the total, and they set a high number in anticipation.
Finally, the All-Star Game is a three-on-three format that allows for greater offensive chances than a typical five-on-five contest. That feeds into the public perception and demand of betting over the total.
Atlantic Division
Headlining the Atlantic Division is Toronto Maple Leaf star forward Auston Matthews. Other big names include Patrick Bergeron of the Boston Bruins and Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers. Victor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Steven Stamkos are headliners of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Metropolitan Division
The biggest name in hockey, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, headlines the Metropolitan Division lineup. Ovechkin is the greatest goal scorer of this current era in which it is much more difficult to score.
Central Division
Of course, the Colorado Avalanche boasts Nazem Kadri and Cale Makar on the Central Division roster. Makar is emerging as the game’s top defenseman. Of note is the absence of Avalanche power forward Nathan MacKinnon.
Pacific Division
The Edmonton Oilers boasts two of the best players in the game in centers Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. This dynamic duo will power the Pacific Division. Of interest to local Las Vegas fans are Golden Knights stars Mark Stone and Alex Pietrangelo. Johnny “Hockey” Gaudreau is another marquee man from the Calgary Flames.
2022 NHL All-Star Game Free Picks
The Pacific Division should roll with McDavid, Draisaitl, Stone, and Pietrangelo on this occasion. Additionally, Connor McDavid is a good prop bet for the most goals and points. Also, McDavid will be in the hunt for All-Star Game MVP honors. And don’t rule out a big day from Alex Ovechkin, who loves the spotlight.
BookMaker Pick: Pacific Division to Win, Connor McDavid for most goals, most points, and MVP Award
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