The NHL All-Star Game has been controlled by the Metropolitan and Pacific Divisions since the event went to a four-division, three-on-three tournament in 2016.

Metropolitan and Pacific have three wins each. Metropolitan won last season without Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, both of whom are back on the roster for Saturday's event inside FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida.

The two previous champions will be expected to reach the final once again, but fans should look out for the Atlantic Division.

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The host squad, led by David Pastrnak, Matthew Tkachuk and Linus Ullmark, could make the case to be the most well-rounded group in the All-Star Game, and that could help it triumph on home ice.

The Central Division is also searching for its first victory in the current format. The roster once again has a heavy Colorado Avalanche presence. Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar will try to lead Central back to its second straight final.

All but one of the players participating on Saturday will compete for their current divisions. Bo Horvat will be on the Pacific squad, but he will represent the New York Islanders after his trade from the Vancouver Canucks. His presence on the Pacific roster could be a huge boost to its hopes of winning the event.

 

Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin Return to ASG

Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin are back in the All-Star Game after they both missed Metropolitan's triumph last year.

Crosby has not been named to the All-Star Game since 2019. Ovechkin was originally part of last season's roster, but he was ruled out because of health and safety protocols.

The two legends are nearing the end of their careers, and we do not know how many more All-Star Games will be played with one or both on the ice.

The 37-year-old Ovechkin and 35-year-old Crosby are still capable of leading Metropolitan to victories on their own, but they will get support from some of the younger stars of the game, like Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils.

Crosby, Ovechkin and the Metropolitan Division earned an added boost for Saturday's game, with Johnny Gaudreau now on the roster after he spent six years on the Pacific Division squad while with the Calgary Flames.

Seeing Crosby, Ovechkin and Gaudreau on the ice together in the three-on-three format would be a cool sight for hockey fans, and it would create a moment that is made for an All-Star Game.

One other thing to watch is Ovechkin's chase of an All-Star Game MVP. Crosby has one from 2020, but the Russian star is missing that one honor from his lengthy resume.