Oct 18, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tyler Johnson (9) picks up a loose puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Rogers Arena. The Tampa Bay Lightning won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Steven Stamkos and Tyler Johnson are going to the NHL All-Star game.
The Lightning’s top two centres have been selected as two of the final 36 participants of the game, chosen by the league. The initial six players were selected last week by a fan vote.
Stamkos’ and Johnson’s selections are hardly a surprise.
Stamkos leads the team with 22 goals, which also has him tied for third in the NHL. He has 18 assists and is third on the team with 40 points.
It’s the third selection for Stamkos, who also played in the 2011 and 2012 games.
Johnson, an undrafted free agent signing, has a team high 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) in 42 games. He leads the NHL with a plus/minus of 26. He has been the biggest beneficiary of a line that includes Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov.
It is the first all-star selection of his career.
Also selected was Lightning rookie forward Jonathan Drouin. The 19-year-old was picked as one of six rookies to attend festivities and take part in the skills competition. Drouin, who missed the entire preseason with a fractured thumb, has two goals and 15 assists in 33 games.
The 2015 All-Star game will be held on Jan. 25 while the skills completion is Jan. 24. The event is being held by the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. It is the first all-star game since 2012. The lockout wiped out the 2013 edition while last year’s Olympics cancelled the 2014 game.