Barzal, Metro Division Win All-Star Game

Mathew Barzal put on an All-Star performance on Saturday night, helping the
Metropolitan Division All-Stars win the 3-on-3 tournament at the NHL All-Star Game
.
Barzal recorded five points (2G, 3A) in the Metro's 10-5 win over the Central Division in the championship game. Barzal opened the scoring with a snipe over Devan Dubnyk's shoulder 22 seconds into the game and buried an empty-netter with 2:44 to play in the second half.

"It's obviously something I'm not going to forget," Barzal said. "It's been really fun lately. Our Islander team is doing well, and to come here and do well and get a chance to play with Sid, Letang and Claude and some new faces. It's been a blast."
Sidney Crosby, Barzal's linemate, also recorded a five-point game (2G, 3A) and was named the All-Star Game MVP. Crosby had eight total points (4G, 4A) over the two games and playing with the Penguins captain was one of the bigger thrills of the night for Barzal.
READ: BARZAL IMPRESSES CROSBY, LETANG AT ALL-STAR GAME
"I was literally laughing on the ice. It was almost just too easy," Barzal said. "He's always open and hand it off to him when you're in trouble. It's good. Him and Kris [Letang] are just obviously two of the best players in the league. It was just so easy for me and I had a blast being out there with them."
Barzal impressed the two veteran Penguins, who both heaped praise on the Islanders all-star.

"The game plan is to give it to Mathew, obviously," Letang said via an interview on NBC. "We played against him in the season and he just controls the whole game on his skating ability and his skills."
"Three-on-three, I mean, I don't know if there's anyone better at holding on to the puck," Crosby said. "I think watching him out there with the best, I don't see anyone that beats him in that category."
Getting compliments from his idol left Barzal somewhat speechless during his post-game media availability. Having Crosby rely on him as a linemate was just another surreal moment in a surreal weekend for the 21 year old.
PHOTOS: BARZAL AT ALL-STAR WEEKEND
"Sid just said grab it and get us up the ice and he'll find a spot," Barzal said. "It was kind of cool, those guys passing me the puck and them working to get open. I was just trying to find them. Obviously Sid is the best goal scorer - him and Ovi - [and I'm] just trying to get him the puck close to the net... It was just so fun for me to be out there with those two."
Barzal said he's taking a few souvenirs home from All-Star Weekend, namely a few sticks and a team-signed jersey. Two things, the memories and respect from his peers can't be held, or quantified, but Barzal will carry them for the rest of his life.
Like he said, it's a weekend he'll never forget.

Game 2: Metropolitan Division 7 vs Atlantic Division 4

Sidney Crosby (2G, 1A) and Seth Jones (2G) led the way, as the Metropolitan Division All-Stars beat the Atlantic Division All-Stars 7-4. The Atlantic Division led 4-3 in the second half of the Eastern Conference matchup, but the Metro stormed back with four unanswered goals to advance to the finals.
Mathew Barzal finished the game with one assist and five shots in 7:19 TOI.

Game 1: Central Division 10 vs Pacific Division 4

The Central Division All-Stars led the Pacific Division All-Stars 7-1 in the first half of their 3-on-3 contest, en route to a 10-4 win. Gabriel Landeskog had a hat trick, while Ryan O'Reilly had four points (1G, 3A) in the win.