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NHL All-Star Game: Top 5 must-see players in 2015 game

By Patrick Schmidt

Jan 18, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) reacts on the ice against the New York Rangers during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Rangers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) reacts on the ice against the New York Rangers during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Rangers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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February 5, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) play the puck during the third period of an NHL game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
February 5, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) play the puck during the third period of an NHL game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The NHL All-Star Game provides the best action compared to the NFL, MLB and NBA versions and these five NHL players are sure to keep it that way in 2015.

You can keep the Pro Bowl where the NFL’s version of their All-Star Game is a complete joke and makes a mockery of the game we see on Sunday’s during the regular season and playoffs.

I’m not interested in the MLB All-Star Game where home-field advantage for the World Series is decided in an exhibition game where the best players get two at bats and pitchers pitch one inning.

The NBA All-Star Game is more of a social event than it is an athletic competition and the gameplay is something you’d see in Streetball and the concept of defense is as dead as the dinosaurs.

I want the NHL All-Star Game where the gameplay is as close to what we see during the regular season than any of the other three leagues have for their midseason affair. Throw in the skills competition the night before the game and you have the best All-Star weekend too.

Die-hard fans are already going to watch Sunday’s NHL All-Star Game (5 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports) but for the casual fan who wants to tune in and know who to watch out for, I have just the list for you.

Here are the top five most intriguing players you need to keep your eyes on during the game. Learn the names and their stories and you can impress your friends during the broadcast.

You can view the entire All-Star Game roster here and all stats courtesy of hockey-reference.com and current prior to Jan. 20 games.

Next: John Tavares

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