By Jacob Messing

While there may be not NHL players participating in Pyeongchang for the Winter Olympics this February, fans at least get the fun-filled All-Star weekend.

The league is running with the same three-on-three format from the past two seasons: each division has a team of 11 players — six forwards, three defensemen, and two goalies — with at least one representative from each team.

This year, the Tampa Bay Lightning are hosting the festivities at Amalie Arena. On Saturday, January 28, the annual skills competition will begin in the afternoon, followed by three 20-minute games on Sunday.

The games will pit each division against its conference counterpart, with the winners playing for $1 million. The Pacific Division won it all in 2016, but lost in the finals against the Metropolitan Division last season, earlier in 2017.

Below are FloHockey’s predictions for the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions.

Players were chosen by name power, current fan voting tallies, position requirements, and the necessary representation from every team.

Félicitations, Shea!

Congrats, Shea! #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/faS9RRhjOu

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 6, 2017

Atlantic Division

Fan Vote Leaders: Steven Stamkos (C), Nikita Kucherov (RW), Auston Matthews (C), Erik Karlsson (D), and Carey Price (G)

Left: four teams and six spots (three F, two D, one G)

Locks: Aleksander Barkov (C), Shea Weber (D), and Andrei Vasilevskiy (G)

Barkov, 22, remains the best option from the Florida Panthers. He has 10 goals and 29 points in 30 games this season and is turning into one of the best two-way centers in the game.

Weber, the annual “hardest shot” champion, will be the second defenseman and second Montreal Canadiens representative. He’s not the most mobile for three-on-three, but his offense and defense are undeniable for the Atlantic.

Vasilevskiy will the be third Tampa Bay choice, as he has been most consistent goalie in the division and will likely get the starting job ahead of Carey Price.

That leaves us with needed representation from Detroit, Buffalo, and Boston, which will fill two forward spots and the last defensive spot.

Detroit | C/ LW | Dylan Larkin

The Red Wings player is in a tight race between Larkin and Anthony Mantha, but Larkin holds a slight edge. His speed — which the NHL would love to pit against McDavid at the skills competition — and passing are elite. The 21-year-old also leads the Wings with 23 points (4 G, 19 A) through 30 games.

Buffalo | LW | Evander Kane

Kane has been phenomenal this season for Buffalo and is the surefire representative currently. The 26-year-old has 14 goals and 28 points through 30 games, well on his way to a career year and big raise — be it in Buffalo or elsewhere.

Boston | D | Charlie McAvoy

While Patrice Bergeron or Brad Marchand remain better options, the truth is only a defensive spot remains. McAvoy, 19, has recorded four goals and 11 assists for 15 points through 27 games to go with a plus-1 rating; he’s playing like a future Norris Trophy winner.

ATLANTIC DIVISION

Metropolitan Division

Fan Vote: Alex Ovechkin (LW), Sidney Crosby (C), John Tavares (C), Phil Kessel (RW), and Sergei Bobrovsky (G)

Left: four teams and six spots (two F, three D, one G)

Locks: Nick Leddy (D) and Kevin Shattenkirk (D)

Leddy, 24, is shedding the “underrated” label and is breaking out for his best season yet. He’s put up six goals and 24 points, which places him tied for second in defensive scoring.

Shattenkirk is a premier offensive defenseman, but seems to have found a steadier approach to the defensive side of the game in New York. His 21 points are 11th among defensemen. The Metropolitan’s path to a repeat is to outscore mistakes, and Shattenkirk will help in that regard.

The Metropolitan needs two more forwards, another defenseman, and another goalie. Carolina, New Jersey, and Philadelphia each need a player as well.

Playoff hockey... pic.twitter.com/4GNoLYVECu

— Zach Werenski (@ZachWerenski) April 17, 2017

Columbus | D | Zach Werenski

While the Metropolitan has other stud defensemen to pick from (Kris Letang, John Carlson, Shayne Gostisbehere), Werenski’s nine goals lead all defensemen, he’s fast, and he dominates possession. The 20-year-old has 16 points through 31 games this season and is a plus-7.

Carolina | LW | Teuvo Teravainen

Teravainen, 23, leads all Hurricanes players with 24 points (8 G, 16 A) through 30 games and is the best option from Carolina. He’s beginning to display the skill that saw him drafted 18th overall in 2012 and will only be better among all-star linemates.

Philadelphia | C | Claude Giroux

There are a few good options form the Flyers, but Giroux’s ability to play center is needed as it’s looking like a weakness for the Metropolitan Division with how the fan vote and necessary positions are shaking out. His 13 goals and 34 points are both second on the team.

New Jersey | G | Cory Schneider

Similarly to McAvoy, Taylor Hall is probably the Devil most deserving of an All-Star spot, but the need for another goalie sees Schneider’s name get called. That’s not to say he hasn’t been good; his 12 wins, 2.64 goals against average, and .920 save percentage for a surprising team show his value.

METROPOLITAN DIVISION

Stay tuned for the Western Conference edition in the coming days.

Have a question or a comment for Jacob Messing? You can find him on Twitter @JMessing23.