Let’s be honest, it’s fun to watch great players do difficult things.
When it comes to aiming at small targets in front of an arena full of people, it’s especially fun. You get a taste of very different scenarios: virtuosic displays of accuracy and those moments where near-misses start to stack up, frustration builds, and the cringe-worthy comedy kicks in.
The tweaked passing challenge provided both ends of the spectrum.
Passing
Nikita Kucherov struggled to start things off, but Drew Doughty really hit his head against the wall, showing his frustration in a pretty funny moment while finishing last.
Alex Pietrangelo, meanwhile, was the virtuoso, winning the passing competition under one minute:
Pietrangelo wins the Passing Challenge: 46.61 seconds. #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) January 28, 2018
Eric Staal was excellent as well, the other passer to finish under one minute:
The winner of the Dunkin' Donuts NHL Passing Challenge: @apetro_27 of the @StLouisBlues with a time of 46.610 seconds. #NHLAllStar #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/3bilZT5Nxe
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 28, 2018
Accuracy
Brock Boeser’s hair and accuracy were too much for the targets during the accuracy shooting.
If only we could all be this cool.
a mood pic.twitter.com/vG2d7Phk7W
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) January 28, 2018
Brian Boyle was awfully close to winning it, too.
BRIAN BOYLE IS ON 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/QqkE3TWWfB
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) January 28, 2018
[Boyle thankful to be part of All-Star weekend.]
What did you think about the targets lighting up, thus adding to the challenge? Brad Marchand probably didn’t love it, as he ages to finish, and the fans let the agitating winger know it.
Marchy takes down the five targets in 44.692 seconds to finish seventh.
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 28, 2018
Vancouver rookie Brock Boeser wins Accuracy Shooting contest with a time of 11.136 seconds. #NHLAllStar
The accuracy competition is the best, isn’t it?
Sidney Crosby (2017 Accuracy Shooting Champ) gives Brock Boeser (2018 Accuracy Shooting Champ) some expert advice before the competition.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 28, 2018
We're all friends here. 😁 pic.twitter.com/BVTRbIx8YU
Really, the toughest question is: would Boeser win coolest hair at the All-Star Game if William Karlsson made it? Maybe we’ll get that answer in San Jose.
A big Happy Birthday goes out to our leading goal scorer William Karlsson! Keep that hair game strong! @WKarlsson71 #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/BBQbHbWtM1
— Vegas Hockey Knight (@FSVegasHockey) January 8, 2018
More on the Skills Challenge
Alex Ovechkin wins hardest shot; Marc-Andre Fleury takes save streak.
Connor McDavid shocks no one in winning fastest skater; Johnny Gaudreau shows off puck control.
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.