2022 NHL Skills Competition: What to Watch

(Via: nhl.com)

This will be the first time in two years that the NHL hosts an All-Star Game. What makes it even more exciting for the players? The event will be taking place in Las Vegas. If there is one place in North America that can put on a great show especially for the fans, its Las Vegas. If you ask around the hockey world, fans are more excited to see their favourite players go head-to-head against the best in the Skills Competition than the actual All-Star Game. If you are tuning in tonight, these are the events you should be watching.

Fountain Face-Off

Players will literally be boating to the middle of the Bellagio Fountain where there will be a rink set up. There will be five targets and players will need to hit them as fast as possible. There will be multiple rounds, you will move on if you beat your competitors.

(Via: Fox5 Vegas)

Players Competing: Jordan Eberle. Claude Giroux, Jonathan Huberdeau, Roman Josi, Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson, Mark Stone,Nick Suzuki, and Zach Werenski.

Prediction: A safe bet would be the man who is leading the league in points, Jonathan Huberdeau.

Playing a Game of 21

Five players will be competing against each other in a game of 21, with a twist!

There will be a wall of oversized playing cards that players will need to hit. The rules stay the same, you need to hit the cards but not go over 21. To win the round, players will need to have the highest hand or get 21 with the fewest shots.

(Via: nhl.com)

Players Competing: Nazem Kadri, Auston Matthews, Joe Pavelski, Steven Stamkos, and Brady Tkachuk.

Prediction: Experience is going to win this one, Joe Pavelski.

Fastest Skater

This event is one everyone looks forward to. The fastest skater is one that makes the GMs across the league nervous, especially if their players are competing in it. Each player will do one lap around T-Mobile Arena and can choose which direction they want to go in. Players will have a standing start and the fastest time wins.

(Via: nhl.com)

Players Competing: Kyle Connor, Adrian Kempe, Chris Kreider, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jordan Kyrou, Dylan Larkin, Cale Makar, and Connor McDavid.

Prediction: It’s hard not to go with Connor McDavid but Dylan Larkin will give him a good run.

Breakaway Challenge

It’s nice to see this event back as the NHL got rid of it back in 2016. Players will compete by coming down on a breakaway against a goalie. This will give an opportunity for players to showcase their puck handling skills. Players will be able to use all the offensive zone, including behind the net (Zegras is going to eat this up!) Each player gets 2 attempts, which will be judged by the panel and rated between 1-10. The player with the highest score after two rounds, wins.

(Via: nhl.com)

Players Competing: Alex DeBrincat, Jack Hughes, Kirill Kaprizov, Alex Pietrangelo, and Trevor Zegras.

Prediction: There will be a lot of pressure on Trevor Zegras to do something crazy so I will take Kirill Kaprizov.

These are the events that should bring the most entertainment. If you are interested to tune in, it starts tonight at 7:30pm EST on ESPN/TSN.