There’s a starman waiting in the sky. He’d like to come and meet us, but he thinks he’d blow our minds. There’s a starman waiting in the sky. He’s told us not to blow it, ’cause he knows it’s all worthwhile. -David Bowie

Public Service Announcement: Ok, here we go. Hello, Canada, and hockey fans in the United States and Newfoundland. Oh, my starry eyed surprise. NHL. Three stars. It’s tradition! Fiddler On the Roof style. A tradition that began in 1936-37. A tradition that began when Imperial Oil joined Hockey Night in Canada as its principal sponsor. A tradition that began as a way for Imperial to promote its “Three Star” brand of gasoline. A ella le gusta la gasolina. Como le encanta la gasolina. Dame mas gasolina!    

A tradition that began as a way for the NHL to get recognition for its best ambassadors. Players like Rocket Richard. Players like Johnny Bower. Old time hockey. Eddie Shore. Imperial Oil left Hockey Night In Canada, but the tradition remained. And what a fine tradition it is.

Mike Walton of the Leafs was named on the Three Stars in eleven consecutive games. The Great One, blessed be he, played his last two games in Ottawa and at Madison Square Garden. In both games, he was named the only star of the game. Rocket Richard was once named all three stars after scoring all five of Montreal’s goals in a playoff game against Toronto. But I’m here to tell you Three Stars is something more. Something more for those keeping score. Something more to get excited for.

I’m here to tell you it’s a pretty good predicator for post season awards. What? You don’t believe me? You think it’s merely a cute little enterprise for the fans. The Starship Enterprise. Well, I’m here to boldly go where no man has gone before. I’m here to tell you different.

Here’s what we’re gonna do. Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when sheriff John Brown come for you? We’re gonna go back as far as the 1995-96 season. With the lockout year, that makes an even twelve years. We’re gonna assign three points for first star of the game. Two points for second star. One point for third. Got it? Good.

Let’s look at the Hart Trophy first, shall we? MVP. Best player in all the land:

Uncanny, isn’t it? Eight out of twelve. Now we’re cooking.

Now let’s look at the rookies. Rookie, rookie, who gets the cookie. Who gets the Calder Memorial Trophy?

Eight out of twelve. Still pretty good. Pretty, pretty good. Pretty good considering three out of the five incorrect entries were goalies.

Speaking of goalies. Moving on. Onward and upward. To that deluxe apartment in the sky. Moving on to the Vezina Trophy:

Six out of twelve. Not perfect, I know. But I’ll take 50%. I’ll take those odds. I’ll take them every time.

Knock ‘em down roll ‘em around common defense, work! Let’s hear it for the defense. Got spirit, let’s hear it! Let’s hear it for the Moochie James Norris trophy winners:

Wow! Nine. If you don’t know some secret way you can check on. You’ll break your neck on, Naughty Number Nine. What did I tell you? With Lidstrom around, it makes things easy. But still.

So there you have it. Who knew? Who knew Three Stars of the Game meant so much? As things stand now, Marian Hossa, Sid the Kid and Nikolai Zherdev are the Star Point leaders. Are awards in their future? It’s all in the stars.

Public Spectacle

Peace out homies. Six two and Even!

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