Mathew Barzal Selected To NHL All-Star Game

The NHL announced its first batch of players that will be headed to this year’s All-Star game, and Mathew Barzal was named as the representative for the New York Islanders.

Hey now, you're an all-star. 🌟

Introducing the Eastern Conference players named to the 2024 #NHLAllStar Weekend. pic.twitter.com/zqx8VEmTYL

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 4, 2024

This is the third time in Barzal’s career that he’s been named an All-Star.

For years, many have wondered if and when Barzal would ever put up similar numbers to those he had during his Calder-winning rookie season back in 2015. So far this year, he has.

With 37 points, Barzal is currently the Islanders’ leading scorer, averaging a point per game, doing so while playing as a winger for the first time in his career.

While Barzal’s numbers certainly make him a deserving choice to represent the Islanders, he was not the only player on the club with a case to be made.

Seemingly overnight, Noah Dobson has developed into a top-pairing defenseman. His 36 points are second on the team and he is second among the league’s defensemen in assists with 30.

Both of those stats put Dobson on track to shatter his previous career-highs, but his progress on offense is only half the story.

With the Islanders’ blueline depleted by injuries, Dobson has held his own, and then some, as an all-purpose player. His 25:53 of average time on ice is second in the NHL only to Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings.

Despite not being selected tonight, there is still a chance for Dobson to be named an All-Star.

Once the representatives for each team have been named, fans will have the power to send 12 additional players to the All-Star game via a vote.

Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin was voted in by the fans as an All-Start last season.

This year’s All-Star Game will be conducted under a player draft format, as two teams will be selected by a pair of captains consisting of a player and a celebrity.

The 2024 NHL All-Star game will cap off a three-day event in Toronto from Thursday, Feb. 1 to Saturday, Feb. 3.

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