By Shawn McCullough

The Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division defeated the Western Conference’s Central Division, 5-3, to win the 2022 NHL All-Star Game in Las Vegas.

Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux took home the All-Star Game MVP, scoring two goals in the final game, while New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes added a goal and an assist.

“Obviously when you win an All-Star Game, it’s fun,” said Giroux. “It’s funny how everybody was just on the same page today and we never played together before.”

The 11 Metropolitan Division players will split $1 million for winning the All-Star Game ($90,909.09).

In the first semifinal game, The Metropolitan Division (Eastern Conference) defeated the Pacific Division (Western Conference), 6-4.

Hughes led the Metropolitan Division with two goals, while Pittsburgh Penguins LW Jake Guentzel added a goal and an assist. 

“I had a great time,” said Hughes. “It was nice that I scored and stuff, but just a special weekend.”

In the second semifinal game, the Central Division (Western Conference) beat the Atlantic Division (Eastern Conference), 8-5.

The Central Division was led by Austin Matthews, Jonathan Huberdeau and Rasmus Dahlin, who each had a goal and an assist.

Rosters:

PACIFIC DIVISION

F Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton (3rd)
F Jordan Eberle, Seattle (2nd)
F Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary (6th)
F Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles (1st)
F Connor McDavid, Edmonton (5th)
F Timo Meier, San Jose (1st)
F Mark Stone, Vegas (1st)
F Troy Terry, Anaheim (1st)
D Alex Pietrangelo, Vegas (3rd)
G John Gibson, Anaheim (3rd)
G Thatcher Demko, Vancouver (1st)

Coach: Peter DeBoer, Vegas

CENTRAL DIVISION

F Kyle Connor, Winnipeg (1st)
F Alex DeBrincat, Chicago (1st)
F Nazem Kadri, Colorado (1st)
F Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota (1st)
F Clayton Keller, Arizona (2nd)
F Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis (1st)
F Joe Pavelski, Dallas (4th)
D Roman Josi, Nashville (4th)
D Cale Makar, Colorado (1st)
G Juuse Saros, Nashville (1st)
G Cam Talbot, Minnesota (1st)

Coach: Jared Bednar, Colorado

ATLANTIC DIVISION

F Patrice Bergeron, Boston (3rd)
F Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida (2nd)
F Dylan Larkin, Detroit (2nd)
F Auston Matthews, Toronto (4th)
F Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay (7th)
F Nick Suzuki, Montreal (1st)
F Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa (2nd)
D Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo (1st)
D Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay (3rd)
G Jack Campbell, Toronto (1st)
G Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay (4th)

Coach: Andrew Brunette, Florida

METROPOLITAN DIVISION

F Sebastian Aho, Carolina (2nd)
F Claude Giroux, Philadelphia (7th)
F Jake Guentzel, Pittsburgh (1st)
F Jack Hughes, New Jersey (1st)
F Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington (2nd)
F Chris Kreider, N.Y. Rangers (2nd)
F Tom Wilson, Washington
D Adam Pelech, N.Y. Islanders (1st)
D Zach Werenski, Columbus (2nd)
G Frederik Andersen, Carolina (2nd)
G Tristan Jarry, Pittsburgh (2nd)

Coach: Rod Brind’Amour, Carolina