LAS VEGAS -- The Metropolitan Division captured the 2022 NHL All-Star Game championship on Saturday, defeating the Central Division, 5-3, in the final round of its 3-on-3 tournament.
Philadelphia Flyers star Claude Giroux, the captain of the Metropolitan team, was named MVP and received a new Honda Passport for scoring three goals in the tournament, including two goals in the championship final.
The players split a $1 million prize. It's the third time the Metro has won the All-Star Game in the six seasons that it's used a 3-on-3 tournament format.
"On the bench, we had a blast today. Everybody was having a good time. Guys were yelling to play defense and win battles and block shots. We just had fun today," Giroux said.
Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri was surprised by how strong the Metro Division came out in the finale.
"It got real at the start of the final game. They turned it on a little bit. Maybe played a little more defense than we were used to in the first game," he said.
Giroux joked that their start came from "preparation" for the finale.
"It was funny how guys just wanted to win. I've never seen (Capitals forward Evgeny) Kuznetsov work so hard for face-offs before. Even when I play against him in the regular season," he said. "It was kind of goofing around, but at the same time we wanted to win. Might as well. We're here, right?"