5 reasons every fan should attend the NHL All-Star Game at least once in their life
From the game format to the top players and more, here's why attending the NHL All-Star Game at least once is a must for hockey fans.
By Marci Rubin
Each year, the NHL hosts an All-Star Weekend featuring the league’s top players. The All-Star Game consists of players split into four teams. Two teams face off, then the other two, and then the winning teams of the first round play each other to determine the All-Star Game winner. There’s a lot more to the weekend, including the fan fair, interviews, a skills competition, and the announcement of Alumni Man of the Year.
All-Star Weekend is hosted in a different city each season. The Toronto Maple Leafs are hosting the 2024 All-Star Weekend at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. The event will also include a player draft and a PWHL showcase. This year’s event will take place over three days, from February 1 to 3, 2024.
As exciting as it is to watch the action unfold on TV, attending an event in person is entirely different. Fans who attend in person have a unique experience. Wonder what it would be like to attend the special weekend in person? Here are five reasons NHL fans should attend an All-Star Game at least once in their life.
5. The 3-on-3 game format
The All-Star Game traditionally has a 3-on-3 format, meaning each team has three skaters and a goalie on the ice at a time rather than five skaters and a goalie. This is the same format that is used in overtime for regular games. The 3-on-3 format ensures a fast pace and a lot of scoring. With more space on the ice, there’s more creativity in the game. This season, the game will feature a player draft to create teams for the 3-on-3 match-ups.
Considering the All-Star Game features the league’s best, the 3-on-3 match-up is even more exhilarating than a standard 3-on-3 in overtime. The top players tend to unleash a scoring frenzy. The league’s best goalies are between the pipes, trying to keep the top skaters from scoring.
There are two preliminary games, followed by a final match-up of the two winning teams to find an overall winner. The All-Stars are there to have fun, but they’re also competitive. The players are sure to bring heat to the ice. It’s the only time the players participate in a game that’s strictly 3-on-3, making this a unique viewing for fans.