Game One: Pacific vs. Central
Starting Goaltenders: Corey Crawford vs. Mike Smith
After two minutes of meandering play Cam Fowler started the scoring by converting on a 2-on-1 breakaway. The Central Team tried to even the score but Patrick Kane’s shot rang off the post. Jeff Carter kept the puck on his own 2-on-1 the other way and beat Crawford to establish a 2-0 lead.
Both teams played like the game meant something as they valued puck possession over creativity and fun. Jonathan Toews showed that he belongs in the All-Star game as he got the Blackhawks Central on the board, beating Mike Smith with a shot off the rush.