NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Flyers captain Claude Giroux has no problems with the new three-on-three format of Sunday’s NHL All-Star Game.
“I think it’d going to be more entertaining,” Giroux said. “The three-on-three — I think there’s more ice. I think fans want to see players try a little harder. Guys obviously don’t want to get hurt and a lot of teams are going into the playoff push right now.”
The Flyers' center said there aren’t as many hits in three-on-three, lowering the chances of injury.
“Any player that gets hurt at the All-Star game, I don’t think their team will be too happy about it and a lot of players that are here are top players on their team,” said Giroux, who will play for the Metropolitan Division. “So when you’ve got your top player getting hurt for 10 games, it’s not ideal. So I think you want to protect yourself, but at the same time you want to have fun and show the league what you can do.”
The open ice could be a recipe for another high-scoring game.
The winning team has scored at least 11 goals in the last four games.
“There are probably going to be a lot of goals,” said Toronto forward Leo Komarov, who will play for the Atlantic Division.
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The three-on-three format is ideally suited for a player like Columbus forward Brandon Saad, a quick skater for the Metro Division.
“I’ve had a lot of fun this year in overtimes, and then to be here and get extended time with it and play with some different players with some different looks is good,” said Saad, who raised the Stanley Cup with Chicago last June. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
The goalies may take quite a pounding with the new format that seems to favor the offense.
“I guess the only thing is that if one goes in, the game’s not over,” said Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop of the Metro Division. “You keep going. I think that’s the big difference. And it doesn’t count, so you can’t feel that bad about yourself.”
Overtime games were changed to three-on-three in the regular season, but those only go five minutes at the longest. The 20-minute All-Star format will be more grueling.
Jaromir Jagr, Florida’s 43-year-old veteran, hopes Panthers coach Gerard Gallant will show mercy on him for the Atlantic Division.
“I don’t think I’m going to play much on three-on-three,” Jagr said. “I don’t play much anymore and we have the same coach.”
Chicago right wing Patrick Kane, the NHL scoring leader, is looking forward to the new format and the competition for the $1 million prize for the winning team.
“All of us thought it could be a lot better last year and I think it’s good for the NHL to implement different things like the three-on-three and the money that will go to players to try to get us to maybe play at a higher level,” said Kane, who will play for the Central Division. “But at the same time, it’s all on the players. I think we kind of realized that after last year and I think you’ll probably see a better show coming up this year.”