TAMPA, Fla. — The Metropolitan Division couldn’t overcome the hometown hero.
By way of a hat trick for Lightning star and midseason favorite for Hart Trophy Nikita Kucherov, the Atlantic beat the Metro, 7-4, in the preliminary match of the 3-on-3 All-Star Game Sunday afternoon at Amalie Arena. The Atlantic then went on to lose to the Pacific Division, 5-2, in the final.
The Pacific team got to split the winner’s prize of $1 million, while Canucks rookie Brock Boeser won the MVP and a new Honda.
Henrik Lundqvist played the first 10 minutes of the game in nets for the Metro and actually played pretty well while allowing two goals on seven shots. The Islanders’ Josh Bailey had an assist and so did his teammate John Tavares.
The Devils’ Brian Boyle, a late addition to the team, didn’t have a point.
It was news to Tavares that the Islanders might be splitting their home games between Barclays Center and the renovated Nassau Coliseum, but he didn’t seem too upset about the idea.
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“The two-building thing, I know the organization will make it as easy as possible or us as players,” Tavares said. “And both places we’re very familiar with. We’ll see how it goes.”
Tavares is set to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and is holding off on making a decision with the franchise still a bit in limbo on its future. And as much as the league probably won’t like the lack of revenue coming from the Coliseum, Tavares still has an affinity for the old place.
“I know I’ve said the team belongs on Long Island. It’s where it was born, created its identity, and it’s really who it is,” he said. “If that’s the case, I think it’s going to be a great opportunity and experience to go back there and to relive and create some more great history in that place.”
After the Rangers had a grueling four-game road trip out West leading into the break, Lundqvist said he feels refreshed and is ready for the rest of the season.
“I feel recharged,” he said. “I’m excited to get back to playing.”
Asked if he thought this could be his final All-Star Game appearance, the 35-year-old Lundqvist balked.
“No,” he said. “It comes down to how much you love the game. Hopefully I’ll be back here.”