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NHL All-Star Weekend: Schedule, date, how to watch, format and events in skills competition

The 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend is almost here. Many of the best players in the league will flock to the Sunshine State to showcase their skills and score a bunch of goals in one of the game’s marquee events.

The All-Star Game is one of the oldest traditions in the NHL, with the first edition taking place on Oct. 13, 1947. Almost 76 years later, All-Star Weekend has grown in size and spectacle, with its format evolving in an attempt to improve the product for the fans.

Over two days, the players — all 32 teams will have at least one representative at All-Star Weekend — compete in various skills competitions before the final event, the All-Star Game tournament featuring a team from each of the league’s four divisions.

Below is more information on the schedule, date, time, format and where you can watch the 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend.

When and where is the NHL All-Star Weekend taking place?

The festivities take place in Sunrise, Fla., at the FLA Live Arena from Feb. 3 to 4.

Where can I watch the NHL All-Star Weekend?

In the United States, the events will be shown on ABC, ESPN and streamed on ESPN+. In Canada, it’s available on Sportsnet in English, TVA Sports in French and can be streamed on Sportsnet Now.

What is the schedule for All-Star Weekend?

The skills competition takes place on Friday, Feb. 3 from 7 pm to 10 pm ET. The All-Star Game tournament will run on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 3 pm to 6 pm ET.

What is the format for the All-Star Game?

The four divisions — Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central and Pacific — compete in a single-elimination tournament. There are two semifinal games, with the winner of each game advancing to the final. The winner of the final is crowned the All-Star Game champion and is awarded a $1 million prize. Every game in the tournament is three-on-three, consisting of two 10-minute periods.

Why is the game now 3-on-3?

From 1969 to 2009, the two conferences — East and West — played a full three-period, 60-minute game. From 2011 to 2015, a player captain representing each conference participated in a fantasy draft to create their respective team. The last iteration in 2015 saw Team Toews defeat Team Foligno 17-12.

The NHL/NHLPA implemented a three-on-three format for regular season overtime games during the 2015-16 season. This preceded the All-Star Game format changing to three-on-three.

Compared to its predecessor — a four-on-four format in overtime — three-on-three has a greater chance for games to end prior to a shootout. Fewer players and more open ice is a recipe for more goals.

This format makes sense for the All-Star Game, allowing the league to highlight its best players and entertain the fans. Goals are exciting and by using the three-on-three format, fans will see plenty of end-to-end action.

“We are introducing a creative new format this year in Nashville not only as a way to enhance the competitiveness of the event, but also as a vehicle to highlight and emphasize the incredible skill, speed and athleticism it takes to play our game,” said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly in 2016, when the Nashville edition of the All-Star Game was the first to feature three-on-three.

What events are in the NHL skills competition?

Always a fan favorite, the skills competition takes place on Friday, Feb. 3 at 7 pm ET at Sunrise’s FLA Live Arena. On top of the classic events — hardest shot, fastest skater, accuracy shooting and breakaway challenge — the league will introduce three new events in an attempt to showcase the players’ talent.

  • Splash shot: Eight shooters (two from each team) will head to the beach in Fort Lauderdale, trying to hit targets in an attempt to dunk their opponent.
  • Pitch ‘n puck: A combination of golf and hockey, six players will compete on a par-4 hole with an island green. While the lowest score wins, players will be hoping to hit the longest drive, which is the tiebreaker for this event.
  • Tendy tandem: The third new competition is the only one held indoors. In this event, goalies will work as partners while showcasing their shooting skills. The better the goalie’s partner does shooting the puck, the fewer attackers they will have to face in the shooting round.

Additionally, Team USA stars Alex Carpenter and Hilary Knight, along with Team Canada’s Emily Clark, Rebecca Johnston and Sarah Nurse, will be “joining in the fun” for the All-Star Skills. Also joining the skills competition will be Hall of Fame goalie and current executive with the Panthers, Roberto Luongo.

All-Star Weekend highlights from 2022

(Photo Chase Agnello-Dean / NHLI via Getty Images)

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