Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, P.K. Subban and Connor McDavid will represent the four divisions at the 2018 NHL All-Star Game in Tampa the weekend of Jan. 27-28.
The four players have led their respective divisions for the entire fan vote, which opened in early December. This is the second straight year that McDavid and Subban have been voted captains.
Ovechkin, now a seven-time All-Star, is the NHL’s current goal scoring leader with 26 and his 43 points have helped the Washington Capitals to the top spot in the Metropolitan Division. Stamkos, the hometown favorite, fended off Tampa Bay Lightning teammate Nikita Kucherov in the vote to represent the Atlantic Division in his fifth All-Star Game. Now healthy, he’s been producing all season with 17 goals and 49 points.
Subban, who will participate in his third straight All-Star Game, is second among all NHL defensemen in goals (9) and power play points (14) with the Nashville Predators, who currently sit third in the Central Division. While his Edmonton Oilers are struggling, McDavid is having another fine season with 14 goals and 45 points. This will be his second All-Star appearance.
The NHL will announce the rest of the All-Stars on Wednesday, Jan. 10. The four captains will get to choose the participants in each of the Skills Competition events, which is set to take place on Saturday, Jan. 27 (7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS). The 63rd NHL All-Star Game will be played Sunday, Jan. 28 (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS).
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Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy.