Pacific defeats Atlantic to win 2020 NHL All-Star Game

ST. LOUIS -- Tomas Hertl scored the tiebreaking goal with 2:36 remaining, and the Pacific Division defeated the Atlantic Division 5-4 to win the 2020 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Enterprise Center on Saturday.

"It was an amazing time," Hertl said. "I can't even realize what just happened. My first [All-Star Game] experience and we won. It was an amazing two days."

The Pacific Division will share the $1 million prize for the third time in the five seasons the NHL has used the three-game, 3-on-3 format. It won in 2016 in Nashville and in 2018 in Tampa Bay.

"People will say the money [drives you more], but it's more the competitiveness," said Max Pacioretty, a first-time Pacific all-star. "It's more the bragging rights, being the last team off the ice. We had a good time hooting and hollering after the game, so that part of it was a lot of fun."

Leon Draisaitl had a goal and an assist for the Pacific Division to give him six points (four goals, two assists) in its two games. Hertl scored four goals in its 10-5 semifinal win against the Central Division.

David Pastrnak and Jonathan Huberdeau each had a goal and an assist in the final for the Atlantic Division.

Pastrnak, who scored a hat trick and had an assist in a 9-5 semifinal win against the Metropolitan Division, was named All-Star Game MVP through a fan vote on social media.

"If it was voted in by fans, I appreciate the love," Pastrnak said. "Probably wasn't any fans from St. Louis' building, but whoever voted in, I appreciate it and I appreciate the love."

The Atlantic took a 4-3 lead on Tyler Bertuzzi's goal off a 2-on-1 with Anthony Duclair at 3:15 of the second period. Elias Pettersson scored at 5:04 to tie the game 4-4, beating Andrei Vasilevskiy with a blocker-side wrist shot from the left circle, and Hertl gave the Pacific a 5-4 lead at 7:24, scoring on a breakaway off a pass from Draisaitl.

"I know I was open, so I knew he would pass it to me," Hertl said. "I also was a little scared because [Vasilevskiy] was making some amazing saves before that. I was thinking I might shoot it, but I changed and somehow it got through. I'm happy for that."

Hertl and defenseman Mark Giordano each blocked shots in the final 2:36.

The Pacific comeback started early in the second period, when Pettersson scored on a breakaway at 1:37 to make it 3-2. The play started when Matthew Tkachuk stole the puck from his brother Brady Tkachuk in the defensive zone before springing Pettersson with a stretch pass.

"Well, I mean, he gave a little shoulder that I didn't expect, so I knew it was him," Brady Tkachuk said. "It caught me off guard."

Matthew Tkachuk said he recognized it was his brother but he wasn't thinking of anything other than making a play.

"It was an important time in the game and we couldn't let up any more," he said.

Draisaitl tied the game 3-3 seven seconds later at 1:44.

"The pace picks up a little bit, everyone knows that, everyone is aware of that," Draisaitl said. "At the end of the day, there's a little bit of money on the line for us players too, so obviously when it comes down to the last couple minutes, I think everyone tries to lock it down."

Victor Hedman scored 24 seconds into the first period to give the Atlantic a 1-0 lead. Huberdeau made it 2-0 1:05 later from in front of the net off a pass from Brady Tkachuk.

Pacioretty answered at 6:05, scoring off a defensive turnover by Brady Tkachuk, to make it 2-1.

The Atlantic made it 3-1 on Pastrnak's breakaway goal at 9:13, eight seconds after Frederik Andersen made a glove save on Connor McDavid. Andersen was credited with the second assist.

"You're in it to win it from the beginning," Draisaitl said. "It's all about fun, and I've said that many times. Everyone is here to have a good time, to have fun, but at the end of the day we're playing this tournament to win and we're happy we did that."