Post NHL All Star Game Blues

Jan 25, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Team Foligno defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) of the St. Louis Blues blocks a pass by Team Toews center Filip Forsberg (9) of the Nashville Predators in the third period in the 2015 NHL All Star Game at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL All Star game is over with and one team beat the other 17-12. That’s like an MLB game ending 25-18 (or so). After all that (excitement?) are you feeling a little down?

The NHL All Star Game Weekend has come and gone and now some people may feel down, waiting for the second half of the season to begin. The NHL tries to make it a full weekend, but for those fans who just want to see their own team play, the weekend can seem to go on forever.

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There were no games last Thursday, but hockey fans got to watch the Draft on Friday, like it or hate it. Saturday was the Skills Competition where Shea Weber won something for hitting the puck real hard, Ryan Johansen performed a trick, and Roberto Luongo stopped a puck, something that could be done the next day. Then, of course, on Sunday fans got to watch whatever was played that the NHL called a hockey game. And now fans might be feeling a little down, suffering from the Post NHL All-Star Game blues.

The NHL All Star Game Weekend Is Over, Rejoice!

All the buildup, fanfare, and celebrations are over and it’s back to work, waiting for the second half of the season to begin. And you know what? IT’S GOING TO BE GREAT! If all goes well in the East the Boston Bruins will fade down the stretch allowing the Florida Panthers to claim the last playoff spot. Ottawa and Toronto are only three points behind the Panthers, but, honestly, does anyone really expect them to make a run?

The West, however, is looking like it might be the conference to watch. The Calgary Flames are currently (at the time of this writing) holding onto the final playoff spot with 53 points and the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings are out of the playoffs. In fact, a mere four points separates the Flames, Kings, Colorado Avalanche, and Dallas Stars who are sitting at 49 points.

But the playoff race isn’t the only storyline to watch. Right now (again, at the time of this writing) the goal scoring lead is a tight race. Tyler Seguin is tied with Rick Nash at 28 goals scored, but Alex Ovechkin (27) and Steven Stamkos (26) are right behind.

Jakub Voracek has a slight lead in the overall points lead with 56, but Tyler Seguin (52), Patrick Kane (51), Evgeni Malkin (51), Claude Giroux (51), and Sidney Crosby (51) are not far behind. That will likely be a tight race up until the last week or even the last couple of games. It’s going to be a great second half, so buck up, keep your chin held high and remember that Tuesday night REAL hockey is back and the NHL All Star game is a thing of the past!