Skinner, Crosby, Josi, Burns stand out from other all-stars

Behind the Numbers is a weekly series where NHL.com examines player and team trends with an emphasis being placed on advanced statistics. This week we look at notable statistics from a player in each division that has been selected to the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game.

ATLANTIC DIVISION

Jeff Skinner, F, Buffalo Sabres -- Skinner has scored 30 goals this season, which is tied for second in the NHL with Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lighting and John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs, seven behind Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. He is also second in the NHL in goals per 60 at 2.04 (minimum 45 games), behind Ovechkin (2.11). Part of Skinner's all-star caliber season has been his ability to score at even strength, where he ranks fourth with 23 goals, behind Ovechkin (27), Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames (24) and Tavares (24). Skinner also is tied for second in game-winning goals with seven, one behind Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche. However, the difference between Skinner and other top goal-scorers is his shot volume. He's tied for 26th in the NHL with 153 shots on goal, but his 19.6 shooting percentage is ninth among skaters who have played at least 45 games.

METROPOLITAN DIVISION

Sidney Crosby, F, Pittsburgh Penguins -- The center is tied for first in the Metropolitan Division with 57 points (21 goals, 36 assists) in 45 games with Ovechkin and Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes. Crosby's plus-187 SAT is third among division forwards behind Justin Williams (plus-239) and Lucas Wallmark (plus-195) of the Hurricanes. His total is impressive considering Crosby averages 20:42 of ice time per game, fourth among forwards in the Metropolitan Division. Though Crosby is known for his offensive production (1,173 points in 909 NHL games), he's first in the division with 571 face-off wins and first among forwards with a plus-19 rating. Crosby also is among the leaders in per-60 statistics, where he's tied for first with teammate Phil Kessel among division forwards (minimum 45 games) in points per 60 at 3.67 and tied for second with Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom in assists per 60 at 2.32, behind teammate Evgeni Malkin (2.52). He leads the division in primary assists with 27.

CENTRAL DIVISION

Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators -- Josi leads all Central Division defenseman with plus-134 SAT and his 185 shots on goal are second among NHL defensemen to Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks (191). Josi is 10th in the NHL among defensemen with 36 points (eight goals, 28 assists), fourth in the division in points per 60 at 1.65, and third in assists per 60 at 1.28, behind Tyson Barrie of the Avalanche (196) and Mattias Ekholm of the Predators (1.58). The difference between Josi and other defensemen in the division is that his average ice time of 25:15 is second behind Ryan Suter of the Minnesota Wild (26:35). Josi separates himself from the pack further with his ability to produce at even strength where he has 26 points, second among defenseman in the Central to Ekholm (30).

PACIFIC DIVISION

Brent Burns, D, San Jose Sharks -- Burns leads all NHL defensemen with 55 points (nine goals, 46 assists) in 52 games, and his 20 power-play points are second behind Keith Yandle of the Florida Panthers (24); however, it's worth noting that Burns plays less on the man-advantage per game (3:09) than Yandle (3:42). Burns ranks first among NHL defensemen with 191 shots on goal, and his plus-291 SAT is third behind teammate Erik Karlsson (plus-333) and Dougie Hamilton of the Hurricanes (plus-317). Burns also excels in points per 60, where he is tied for second with Mark Giordano of the Flames among defensemen at 2.57, behind Morgan Rielly of the Toronto Maple Leafs (2.70), and first in assists per 60 at 2.15. His 27 primary assists are three more than any other defenseman in the NHL.