Team Staal to win NHL All-Star Game - NHL Free Pick with Ryan's Locks

Tonight all of the NHL greatest players meet in North Carolina to face off in this year's NHL All-Star game. Sided are set, and Team Staal looks to have an edge over Team Lidstrom.

In my second week of NHL picks I have a record of 2-3, losing 0.91 units. Lets skate back on track with today's All-Star Game.

Today's Five Star graded play sides with Team Staal as they take on Team Lidstrom in the NHL ‘Fantasy’ All-Star game set to start at 4:00 PM ET. Obviously, it is impossible for my simulator and vast statistical database to have any meaningful insight to this game since these teams were created in a fantasy draft setting. Yet, I like the players and possible matchups that Team Staal drafted and think playing this game is a worth a five star amount. 

Staal Thinks Defense

Eric Staal drafted first and took his teammate and Carolina home town hero goalie Cam Ward. He has posted a 22-15 record with the 22 wins ranking seventh best in the NHL. He has started in 43 games ranking third and is ranked fourth in ice time with 2,447 minutes. He ranks second best in the NHL in goals against allowing just 110, shots against facing 1,368, and saves with 1,258. 

Staal also drafted net minders Henrik Lundquist in the sixth round, and Carey Price in the tenth. Staal will need strong goal tending in this high scoring affair knowing that Team Lindstrom drafted offense first and has a remarkable collection of centers and right wingers.

Not surprising Team Lindstrom did a great job drafting defenseman in picking the three top defenseman scores in the game in Chicago’s Duncan Keith, Nashville’s Shea Weber, Atlanta’s Dustin Byfuglien, the Phoenix Coyotes Ketih Yandle, and Minnesota Brent Burns. They can score, but the defensive nod goes to team Staal and they are not without scoring defenseman either. 

Team Staal drafted a mix of stout defenders in Boston’s Zdeno Chara, and of course Marc Staal, who are the two most physical defenders in the NHL. They also drafted scoring too in Dan Boyles of San Jose, Kris Letang of Pittsburgh, Mike Green of Washington, and Erik Karlsson of Ottawa. So, I think there is a big time advantage on defense for Team Staal. 

On offense there is no doubt that Team Lindstrong has a meaningful advantage at center and right wing, but in an ironic twist I strongly believe that the the Team Staal defense will be the reason that Team Staal wins this high scoring NHL All-Star game this afternoon.