Buffalo center Zemgus Girgensons and five Chicago Blackhawks’ standouts led in the voting for the National Hockey League All-Star Game ahead of today’s ballot deadline, the league announced on Tuesday.
The top six vote-getters will be assured of places in this year’s NHL All-Star Game, which is to be played on Jan. 25 in Columbus, Ohio.
Girgensons, a 20-year-old who is the only Latvian in the NHL, sets the voting pace with 1,466,077.
He has 11 goals in 37 games this season for the Sabres and his All-Star cause has been aided by a social media campaign in his homeland to support him.
Blackhawks’ standouts are runaway leaders for the other All-Star berths on offer.
Behind Girgensons among forwards are Chicago’s Patrick Kane at 1,075,304 and Jonathan Toews at 1,061,691 in the All-Star spots, with Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby next at 704,792 followed by two more Blackhawks — Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa.
Among defensemen, Chicago’s Duncan Keith set the pace at 1,044,124 with Brent Seabrook next at 875,686. The closest chaser to an All-Star spot was Montreal’s P.K. Subban at 667,427.
Among goaltenders, the Blackhawks’ Corey Crawford led on 955,385 with Montreal’s Carey Price a distant second at 566,149.
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