The two-round NHL All-Star Game format returns on Saturday. In the first round, two of the four teams play against each other. The winners of Round 1 then face off in Round 2 for the NHL All-Star Game title. On Thursday evening, Team Matthews, Team Hughes, Team McDavid, and Team MacKinnon chose their respective rosters. Check out our analysis as well as a final pick for the team that lifts the 2024 NHL All-Star Game trophy.

2024 NHL All-Star Game Info

The teams have been picked!

Presenting the four squads you'll see at #NHLAllStar Weekend! pic.twitter.com/F2T7xuIXlV

— NHL (@NHL) February 2, 2024

• When: Saturday, Feb 3 at 3:00 pm ET
• Where: Scotia Bank Arena, Toronto, Canada
• TV/Streaming: ABC / ESPN+

Why back Team Matthews to win the NHL All-Star Game?

Captain Auston Matthews drafted his guys. Defender Morgan Reilly, and forwards William Nylander and Mitch Marner bolster Matthews chances of winning the trophy.

The reason is that the four play together on a daily basis. So while other teams will have to quickly get to know their mates, Team Matthews will hit the ground running. Also, adding Jake Oettinger to sit in goal was a coup of massive proportions.

Team Matthews Predicted Starters

Captain: Auston Matthews

• F – Auston Matthews – Toronto
• D – Morgan Reilly – Toronto
• F – William Nylander – Toronto
• F – Mitch Marner – Toronto
• G – Jake Oettinger – Dallas

Why back Team McDavid to win the NHL All-Star Game?

Like Matthews, Connor McDavid decided to go with his bud with his first pick. McDavid chose fellow Edmont Oilers star Leon Draisatl.

Draisatl and McDavid are considered two of the top five players in NHL. Like Matthews and Mitch Marner, McDavid and Draisatl will feed off each other on Saturday. McDavid also made a smart move by drafting Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck, one of the best in the league.

Team McDavid Predicted Starters

Captain: Connor McDavid

• F – Connor McDavid – Edmonton
• F – Leon Draisatl – Edmonton
• F – David Pasternak – Boston
• D – Rasmus Dahlin – Buffalo
• G – Connor Hellebuyck – Winnipeg

Why back Team MacKinnon to win the NHL All-Star Game?

While Matthews and McDavid decided to draft their buddies on offense, Nathan MacKinnon went the other way. The Colorado Avalanche superstar drafted Avs defenseman Cale Maker and the team’s goalie, Alexander Georgiev.

MacKinnon believes that a lineup that includes Sidney Crosby from Pittsburgh and Kirill Kaprizov from Minnesota will be good enough to score goals. If Maker and Georgiev can handle defensive duties, Team MacKinnon could win this year’s All-Star Game.

Team MacKinnon Predicted Starters

Captain: Nathan MacKinnon

• F – Nathan MacKinnon – Colorado
• D – Cale Maker – Colorado
• F – Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh
• F – Kirill Kaprizov – Minnesota
• G – Alexander Georgiev – Colorado

Why back Team Hughes to win the NHL All-Star Game?

Jack Hughes called up bro Quinn Hughes and asked who he should draft. It’s no mistake that Quinn, who plays for the Canucks, told his brother to go for Vancouver players.

Ellias Pettersson, Quinn, and goalie Thatcher Demko are three of the reasons the Canucks remain a contender to win the Western Conference. Hughes’ team may not have the flash that MacKinnon’s does, but it has plenty of star power, including the always excellent Tampa Bay star Nikit Kucherov.

Team Hughes Predicted Starters

Captain: Jack Hughes

• C – Jack Hughes – New Jersey
• F – Ellias Pettersson – Vancouver
• F – Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay
• D – Quinn Hughes – Vancouver
• G – Thatcher Demko – Vancouver

2024 NHL All-Star Game Final Betting Prediction

This is a tough all-star to handicap. The NHL format of two rounds provided breathtaking hockey, which is one of the reasons it is difficult to find the winner.

No captain from any of the four teams drafted a dud squad. We can make a case for any of the teams listed, but at the end, it’s going to be tough to beat Auston Matthews and his team.

Matthews’ strategy of loading up with Maple Leafs won’t backfire. Instead, it will give the Toronto fans something to cheer about. Reilly, Matthews, Marner, and Nylander should play in perfect unison. At the end of the second round, Team Matthews will be the squad that lifts the NHL All-Star Game trophy.

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