NASHVILLE -- Hockey fans around the world got their first look at All-Star Weekend with NHL All-Star Friday Night: Live in Music City.
The show was hosted by Kimberly Perry, lead singer of The Band Perry, and Kathryn Tappen and featured musical performances by Aaron Lewis, Big & Rich, Kristian Bush, John Hiatt, Lee Greenwood and Lee Brice.
Nashville Predators defensemen Shea Weber and Roman Josi, goaltender Pekka Rinne and forward James Neal were in attendance. Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos, Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau, Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban, Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad, Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Brandon Saad and Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene also made appearances.
Josi and Subban are looking forward to the 3-on-3 format being used in the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game on Sunday (5 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports). Each will be participating in his first All-Star Game.
"I think it's fun," Josi said. "Three-on-three, there is no defensemen or forwards. Everybody is kind of playing everything so it's going to be a lot of fun. Fans are enjoying the 3-on-3 in the real games, so I think it's going to be good on Sunday too."
Subban said offense, not defense, will be the focus.
"I think most of the defensemen aren't really looking forward to playing any defense," Subban said. "If the score gets tight, we might have to block a few shots."
Players joined Brice on stage for his hit song "Drinking Class." Duchene displayed his musical talent by playing the guitar.
The 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Skills Competition will take place Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports).
NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2018. All Rights Reserved. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. © Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.