ST. LOUIS — He was just .003 seconds away from being the fastest skater — ever.
But still, the Islanders’ Mathew Barzal won the fastest skater competition at the NHL All-Star Skills competition on Friday, doing a lap in 13.175 seconds. He ended the three-year reign of Connor McDavid, who finished second with 13.215, and beat third-place Chris Kreider of the Rangers (13.509). Barzal just missed Dylan Larkin’s record pace of 13.172, set in 2016.
“I told Connor when we were out there, I don’t think I could have skated a better lap,” Barzal said.