Today, the NHL released their 2016 All-Star selections that included two Pittsburgh Penguins. Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin have put together a solid resume to give them the nod to participate in this year’s All-Star festivities.
Although only playing 30 games thus far, Letang is still pulling his weight as he is fourth among defensemen with 0.80 points per game. A vast majority of his points have come from his 20 assists, and the rest from his four goals scored on the season.
This is Letang’s third invitation to an All-Star game. It is also his first appearance since 2012 and is ranked second in team history among defensemen in All-Star selections. Letang has also scored two goals and had an assist in his two previous appearances.
Malkin is also seeing his first All-Star game since 2012. Being selected to six All-Star games, which ranks third in team history, Geno will be suiting up for only his fourth game as he sat out of the 2011 and 2015 games due to injury. He has played 39 games this season, scoring 18 goals and tallying 19 assists for a point total of 37.
Malkin currently leads the team in points and goals and is tied with Evgeny Kuznetsov as the Metropolitan Division point leader. Geno has had a very consistent season thus far and has been a major catalyst in an offense that struggled to score much before head coach Mike Sullivan was given the wheel.
Today’s selections mark the sixth straight year that multiple Penguins have been voted into the game.
Homegrown players Brandon Saad of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks rookie goaltender John Gibson have also been selected and will be going to the first All-Star game in their career. Saad has played 40 games this season with 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists). Gibson who was named the NHL’s December Rookie of the Month has played in 15 games with eight wins and four losses with a 1.64 average goals allowed and a .932 save percentage.
Fans who want to watch the skills competition can tune in to NBC Sports Network on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. Following the skills completion the All-Star game will be played, but with alterations to the format. Fans will now witness a 3-on-3 tournament featuring three 20-minue games. All 44 NHL players who have been voted in will be split into four teams based on their division.
