Sharper Image

First of all, let me just say that whoever is in charge of making the final decision on the formatting of the NHL All-Star game should be working at Cash for Gold come Monday. I mean, for the love of the sport, find something that works and stick to it. In past years, we've had North America vs. The World, and Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference, establishing some firm allegiances for the players to represent. But this year, they chose to throw the sticks on the ice and have captains choose. Really? What is this? A pre-teen game of capture the flag? And furthermore, could they possibly decide upon two less controversial captains than Nicklas Lidstrom and Eric Staal. If they wanted to capture the nostalgia of Mystery, Alaska, you can't name two frontmen without any personality. Granted, Lidstrom and Staal are two of the best defenseman in the business, that's not even debatable, but they're not going to stir their teams into a frenzy in a meaningless exhibition game. Now, Crosby and Ovechkin, they could do that. But the NHL would never succumb to that wish because that would just be quenching too much of the viewer's thirst, and after all, they're still a major professional sports enterprise.

So with the meaningless teams decided and the goals piling up like Charlie Sheen rehab stints, the NHL's All-Stars casually skated around for a couple of hours and exchanged pleasantries with division and conference rivals. I get it. Hockey is a demanding sport and the NHL is a demanding season, let alone the playoffs. But this game was like watching Billy Elliot on Ice at the Allstate. The only highlight of the game was when Ovechkin blatantly threw his stick at Matt Duchene in an attempt to...I don't know, trip him? Make a joke? Ovechkin! (watch the ending)

Still, with all the crisp passing and playful skating that this game displayed, Patrick Sharp managed to make out with the game's MVP trophy. Honestly, I thought him and Mark Ruffalo switched places and Sharpie went to the SAG awards in some whimsical scheme they stole from an Olsen twins movie. What would you rather have, the NHL All-Star MVP trophy or the SAG award for playing the Best Supporting Actor in The Kids are All Right? Toss up. Either way, the guy who was wearing Patrick Sharp's jersey put the puck in the back of the net on one occasion and also contributed two helpers for "Team Staal". Perhaps this added hardware on Sharp's mantle can spark a spurt for the Blackhawks to become more consistent in the 2nd half. Now that they are finally close to full strength, the Hawks have a viable chance to climb the Eastern Conference ladder to avoid a grueling 7-game series in the playoffs' opening round. I guess we can consider All-Star weekend the highlight of the Blackhawks season so far--a popularity contest in which the homecoming king skated away with the highest award and a new car to get laid in...like he needed it.

As for Pick of the Day, the Pulse Man is now amongst the elite company to win 50 bets in his first 1/2 year of professional betting. For tonight, the Pulse man likes the Jazz giving 3 at home to the Bobcats.

Pick of the Day: Bobcats @ Jazz (-3)- JAZZ

Record:(50-35-0)

Now I'm done. Rack me

Frost