Fortunately, Guentzel is getting another well-deserved chance to represent the Penguins, as he will be accompanying Jarry to the festivities at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Feb. 4 will be the All-Star Skills, while Feb. 5 will be the All-Star Game, a 3-on-3 tournament between the four NHL divisions.
"This is a special league to play in, so whenever you can be acknowledged as an All-Star, I think it's always a cool feeling," Guentzel said. "And just to be able to go to an event with some of the superstars in the league, I think it's going to be fun, just to interact with different players."
That was one of the things that stood out the most to Jarry about his experience in St. Louis, with the 26-year-old netminder saying he felt like he was in awe a lot of the time. Being a part of it is something special, and Jarry is glad Guentzel will get to see it all firsthand.
"It's awesome that he finally he gets to go," Jarry said. "He was called upon last time, then just tough getting injured at the time that he did. I think it's great recognition, and he's supposed to be there. He's a great player, he's one of the great players in the league, and it's finally good that he gets the recognition."
It's recognition not only from the league, but from Penguins fans as well, as they're the ones who helped make this nomination happen by voting Guentzel in as the Metropolitan Division's "Last Men In" winner.
"Best fans in hockey," Guentzel said. "I think for me, I thank them for all they've done for me in my career, and just welcomed me in. It's just cool that they kind of vote you in like that. The fan base we have is pretty special."
He's given them a lot to be thankful for over the years, as Pittsburgh's third-round draft pick in 2013 - the year Jarry was taken one round before - has been one of the team's top offensive performers since joining the club on a full-time basis midway through the 2016-17 season. After helping the Penguins capture their second straight Stanley Cup as a rookie, Guentzel has just gotten better and better with each passing season.
Right now, Guentzel leads the Penguins with 20 goals (including five game-winners) and 38 points in just 32 games. He currently has points in 20 of his last 21 games played, recording points in 18 straight appearances (15G-12A-27PTS) from Nov. 13-Jan. 11, which included an official career-long 13-game point streak (12G-7A-19PTS) from Nov. 13-Dec. 6 prior to missing four games due to injury.
Those totals are staggering in themselves, but considering Guentzel started the season with one goal in his first seven games and three in his first 12, they're even more remarkable.
"I think the puck's just going in right now," Guentzel said. "At the beginning of the year, I had a lot of chances, and it just works like that where the goalie gets it or they make a save. But the puck's just kind of finding me in those kinds of areas and it's just clicking for me. The linemates have been tremendous and a lot of credit goes to them. So I think for me, it's just kind of staying the same way, and hopefully they keep coming here."
