Islanders In January & February New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/barzal-islanders-are-building-a-blueprint-for-a-championship-under-roy] forward Mathew Barzal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/barzal-islanders-are-building-a-blueprint-for-a-championship-under-roy] was a late addition to the 2024 NHL All-Star Skills Competition, taking the spot of New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes. He'll be competing in four events Friday night, with puck drop at 7 PM ET on ESPN: Fastest Skater, NHL One Timers, NHL Passing Challenge, and NHL Stick Handling. Per the NHL: The top eight point-earnings through the first six events will go one-on-one with a goalie over their choice. The top six point-earners will then take on the NHL Obstacle Course, where points are doubled in an effort to win $1 million. FASTEST SKATER CHALLENGE Winner of the event in 2020 with a time of 13.31 seconds, Barzal went up against Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (winner in 2017, 2018, and 2019), Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar. Barzal finished his lap in 13.519 seconds, finishing the event in second place as McDavid got it done in 13.408 seconds. He gets 4 points. ONE TIMERS CHALLENGE Barzal has one-timed pucks at a much higher rate this season and went up against Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov, Canucks forward J.T. Miller, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, and Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak. Barzal gets 17 points via passes from Chicago Blackhawks rookie phenom Connon Bedard, finishing second-to-last in the competition, staying with 4 points. He's a point shy from the lead. PASSING CHALLENGE Passing is Barzal's biggest asset outside his edges, as he went up against MacKinnon, Leafs forward William Nylander, Makar, Miller, Kucherov, Hughes, McDavid, Pettersson, Matthews, and Draisaitl. Barzal, despite missing the first pass, got settled in, collecting 21 points. He finished second in the passing behind Makar and now sits tied for first in the standings with seven points through three competitions after earning three points in the event. STICKHANDLING CHALLENGE Barzal is someone who knows how to handle the puck and went up against Hughes, McDavid, Pettersson, Kucherov, Draisaitl, MacKinnon, Pastrnak, and Nylander. He finished the competition in 26.9 seconds, finishing in second place for four points to give him 11 points to stay tied with Makar for first place. Barzal advanced to the second round with two events to go. ONE-ON-ONE CHALLENGE After finishing the "Qualifying Round" tied for second place, it was time for a one-on-one battle, with Draistaitl, Pastrnak, Hughes, and Kucherov getting eliminated. For the one-on-one competition, Barzal elected to shoot on New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin. Barzal gets six points on the Rangers netminder -- four goals with two worth two points -- missing the last one on a between-the-leg try, hitting the post. He advances to the Obstacle Course for a chance at $1 million, with 13.5 points, just 1.5 points behind McDavid. OBSTACLE COURSE Barzal got off to a rapid start but struggled to score on the small net sauce-passing drill, taking 1:16 to finish. He finishes the event in fifth place with 13.5 points. McDavid won the $1 million as he dominated the Obstacle Course, finishing the entire competition with 25 points.
