NHL All-Star Game rosters feature four from host Lightning

Rosters for the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game have been set and the best players in the world are prepared to descend on Tampa Bay in just over two weeks.
The game, which will be held at Amalie Arena on Jan. 28 (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, SN, TVA Sports), will feature the return of the fast-paced 3-on-3 format, with teams from the four divisions, Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central and Pacific.

The game will feature
four players from the host Tampa Bay Lightning
: forwards Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, defenseman Victor Hedman and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, plus 12 first-time All-Stars. And Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin and Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane each will skate in his seventh All-Star Game.

Karl-Star

Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson was named to the All-Star Game, but it has been
one weird season for him
. NHL.com Staff Writer Mike Zeisberger tells you why.

Better late than never

Tom Pyatt was waiting to break through and the Ottawa Senators were waiting for someone to untie their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both got their goal accomplished Wednesday in
a 4-3 win
.

Wild hold on

The Minnesota Wild needed every one of Devan Dubnyk's 34 saves in
a 2-1 victory
against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.

Family affair

Wild forward Eric Staal will be going to his fifth NHL All-Star Game, and
will be bringing along some special guests
. NHL.com Staff Writer Tracey Myers has the story.

Very good Vasilevskiy

To no surprise, the goalie leading the NHL in wins, shutouts, goals-against average and save percentage is the NHL.com panel's
favorite for the Vezina Trophy
.

The Coach's Room

Jim Corsi, former goaltending coach with the Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues,
shares his thoughts on the best way to ignite an offense
.

Get well, Pierre

During the NBCSN telecast Wednesday, announcer Doc Emrick
paid a tribute to veteran broadcaster Pierre McGuire
, who missed the game while recovering from prostate cancer surgery.

Impact of Duclair deal

The trade of forward Anthony Duclair by the Arizona Coyotes to the Chicago Blackhawks not only could change the look of the Blackhawks' top-six forward group, it may
change the fortunes of some fantasy teams
, writes NHL.com's Pete Jensen.

Break time

Each team will get a mandated five-day break during the 2017-18 season and we've got the dates for all 31 teams
right here
.