The Los Angeles Kings will get two of their own at the 2017 NHL All-Star Game.
NHL ALL-STAR ROSTERS pic.twitter.com/aB9SmOKaic
— Travis Hughes (@TravisSBN) January 10, 2017
Jeff Carter leads the Pacific Division and is second in the NHL in goals, and has been the undisputed offensive MVP for a team that doesn’t usually score all that often. He will be making his first appearance since 2009 and his first as a King.
Drew Doughty, last year’s Norris Trophy recipient, makes his third All-Star Game in a row. He’s fourth among Pacific Division defensemen in both goals and points, and is third in the entire NHL in ice time. His is a bit more of a reputation selection, but the class of defensemen is rather weak.
When Oliver Ekman-Larsson was passed over, it meant an All-Star berth for Mike Smith and the end of Peter Budaj’s bid for an incredibly unlikely All-Star Game appearance. So it’ll be two reps for LA. The only teams with more are San Jose with three and — try to hide your shock — Chicago, with four. You try to figure out why Jonathan Toews, who has the same amount of points as Anze Kopitar, is on the roster.
The game will be on Sunday, January 29, 2017.