All Star Game

Definition: An exhibiton game held at the midway point of the NHL season, usually in late January or early February. It's a relaxed, high-scoring affair, not taken seriously by the players or anyone else. The All Star Game has used several formats over the years, including the Stanley Cup champions versus the rest of the NHL, and North American players versus European players. Currently the All Star Game features the best of the Eastern Conference versus the best of the Western Conference. The top players on each team are chosen by fan balloting, with the remaining players named by a panel of NHL general managers. It is one of two ways in which an NHL player can qualify as an All Star.