Most sports fans will have their eye on Super Bowl LIII between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, including players around the NHL, who weighed in with their choices. Most sided with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick, who have combined to win the Super Bowl five times. If New England wins Sunday, it will tie the Pittsburgh Steelers for most Super Bowl titles.
Here's what NHL players had to say about who they'll be pulling for:
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NHL.com @NHLdotcom
Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars center: "Patriots. I've never been a big football fan, but when you get to know certain players you tend to find a care for the game."
Blake Coleman, New Jersey Devils center: "I'm taking the Rams just because I'm tired of seeing the Patriots win."
Travis Zajac, Devils center:"I guess the Patriots just because of the legacy with Tom Brady. Seems like everyone wants the Patriots to lose, but I like seeing good teams and good players win."
Kyle Palmieri, Devils forward:"I'll take the Patriots. I live up in that area in the summers and it's annoying hearing Boston fans talk about it, but I've got more connection with them than I would the Rams."
Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues defenseman: "[Brady] just finds a way to win. Those two [with coach Bill Belichick], it's like, how do you stop them?"
Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers defenseman:"I've got to be involved in the fact that my D partner [Keith Yandle] is the No. 1 Patriots fan of all time, so got to predict the Pats to win."
Jonathan Huberdeau, Panthers forward:"I know last year I went [Philadelphia Eagles, who won 41-33 against the Patriots last year]. I was going against [Yandle], but I'm going to stick with him this time. I'm going to go with the Pats. … Brady, I feel every time he gets the ball, he makes magic at the end of the game. He's old, I think he deserves to win. So hopefully he can win. I like the Rams too, so it's hard. It's a young team. The coach [Sean McVay], he's young too, but I'm going to go with the Pats."
Vincent Trocheck, Panthers center:"It's impossible to bet against Tom (Brady) with how much experience he has and going against an inexperienced quarterback (Jared Goff of the Rams). Belichick against an inexperienced quarterback, I feel like it'd be criminal to bet against the Patriots."
T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals forward:"It's hard to go against Tom (Brady), but I just hope it comes down to the last drive. That's really all I'm looking for. Just a great game that comes down to the last drive. Hopefully the scores are around the 20s, 30s, and just have fun watching. That's all I'm looking for. It would be a different story if Seattle was playing."
P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators defenseman:"I don't know. It's hard to say. I don't know if I could really pick one. I don't think you're picking wrong with either/or. Let's just hope for a close game and then it's decided on one final play that is made by a great player. I think that the game hopefully will be decided on a play that Tom Brady makes or a play that (Rams defensive lineman) Aaron Donald makes. That's what I hope for."
Curtis McElhinney, Carolina Hurricanes goalie: "I'm going with the Pats, more based on the fact that I want to be nice to the [Hurricanes] trainers. They're all New England guys as far as I know. I don't want to upset anyone because they're the ones I order my gear from."
Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes center:"My first year (2016-17) was the rookie party on Super Bowl Sunday and the Patriots won that year (34-28 in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons), and I guess they're my team now. That was the first time I actually watched a whole game. I don't know anything about football."
Alex Tuch, Vegas Golden Knights forward:"Patriots. I went to Boston College. All my friends are Pats fans. When they won school was a lot more fun, so I've kept that going a little bit."
Willie Desjardins, Los Angeles Kings coach: "You have to be excited with what [the Rams] have done. They've been a favorite all year, which says a lot about a team and an organization. I think it's exciting. They got a scare last week. Obviously you have to cheer for the Rams. That's a given."
Drew Doughty, Kings defenseman: "I'm not really sure yet. I like the Rams to win because I'm living in L.A. but it's hard to bet against the Patriots. I don't know what to do."
