MVP Auston Matthews captains team to 7-4 win over Team McDavid
Feb 3, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Team Matthews center Auston Matthews (34) of the Toronto Maple Leafs moves the puck against Team McDavid center Connor McDavid (97) of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2024 NHL All-Star Game at Scotiabank Arena. credits: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports Auston Matthews collected two goals and one assist to lead the team he captained to a 7-4 victory over Team McDavid to claim the championship at the NHL All-Star three-on-three games Saturday in Toronto.
Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs was also named Most Valuable Player on his home ice.
Clayton Keller (Arizona Coyotes), Mathew Barzal (New York Islanders) and Alex DeBrincat (Detroit Red Wings) all collected one goal and two assists in the victory. Filip Forsberg (Nashville Predators) posted one goal and one assist and Mitch Marner (Maple Leafs) scored once for the winners.
Goaltender Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars sparkled in the second half with eight saves for the winning squad, which had a $1 million prize donated to charity in honor of the players.
Leon Draisaitl netted one goal and two assists for Team McDavid, captained by his Edmonton Oilers teammate Connor McDavid. David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins) collected one goal and one assist, while Boone Jenner (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Tomas Hertl (San Jose Sharks) also scored. Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens) posted two assists.
With the score tied 3-3 after the first half, Forsberg netted the go-ahaed goal 66 seconds into the second half threaded a shot from the slot, and Matthews made it a 5-3 count with a rocket of a one-timer set up by Clayton Keller at 4:57 of the half.
DeBrincat notched an empty netter that was followed by Hertl's goal with 1:26 remaining in regulation, but Barzal replied 20 seconds later to round out the scoring.
McDavid posted only one assist in big part because of Oettinger's play against the late push.
Connor Hellebuyck stopped seven shots in the second half for Team McDavid.
Team Matthews had the early jump and Keller opened the scoring at 2:19, but Jenner replied with a top-corner shot at the middle of the first half. Marner put his team ahead a second time with a tap-in of a loose puck laying in the crease, however Pastrnak was on the spot to tie the game within a minute.
Matthews put his team ahead a third time five seconds after that, but Draisaitl made it a 3-3 game 13 seconds later.
—Field Level Media