NEW YORK — Only Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin prevented the Montreal Canadiens from an all-star sweep.
The NHL announced the starting lineups Saturday for the midseason classic, and the host Canadiens filled four of the six slots for the Eastern Conference.
Crosby and Malkin, teammates and linemates with the defending East champion Pittsburgh Penguins, both broke the record for the most votes and claimed two forward positions. They will be joined up front by Montreal’s Alex Kovalev.
Washington’s Alex Ovechkin, the league’s reigning MVP and second this season in goals and points entering Saturday, finished only sixth among Eastern Conference forwards in the voting — which mystified his coach.
“It’s dumb,” Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said, adding: “It’s not right the best player in the game is not a starter.”
Montreal’s Andrei Markov and Mike Komisarek will start on defense, and teammate Carey Price will be in goal at the Bell Centre on Jan. 25.
Another pair of teammates dominated the voting for the Western Conference as Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews of the Blackhawks were top vote-getters.
Perry suspended four games.
Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry was suspended four games for elbowing Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux during Friday’s game.
Winter Classic ratings rise.
TV ratings increased 12 percent for the second Winter Classic, which featured the Blackhawks and Red Wings at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
The Associated Press
