2022 NHL All-Star Game prediction, odds, bracket: Picks, best bets from proven hockey expert

After having its star-studded midseason gala canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Hockey League returns to showcase its top players with the 2022 NHL All-Star Game on Saturday. The puck drops at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for the first game of the three-on-three tournament at 3 p.m. ET. For the sixth consecutive time, the NHL is conducting a tourney-style event that pits division against division in two 20-minute mini-games, with the winners facing off in the final.

In the latest 2022 NHL All-Star Game odds, the Metropolitan Division is the -106 favorite (risk $106 to win $100) against the Atlantic (-104). In the other matchup, the Pacific is -114 against the Central (+103). The winners then battle for the cash prize that will be shared by the players on the victorious roster. Before making any 2022 NHL All-Star Game picks, be sure to see the NHL predictions from SportsLine’s Matt Severance.

Severance is a well-connected writer and handicapper who has worked in the industry since 2005. He dominated the NHL last season by going a whopping 158-104 on his NHL money-line picks, returning over $1,400 for the $100 bettor.

In 2021-22, he is an amazing 56-35-2 in his last 93 NHL picks, and $100 bettors who have followed him during that time are up $1,037. He heads into NHL All-Star Weekend 2022 having hit six of his last seven picks. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, he has set his sights on the 2022 NHL All-Star Game. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the latest NHL odds and trends for All-Star Weekend:

• Metropolitan vs. Atlantic money line: Metropolitan -106, Atlantic -104
• Central vs. Pacific money line: Pacific -114, Central +103
• MET: Philadelphia C Claude Giroux has appeared in six All-Star Games, registering five goals and four assists
• ATL: Tampa Bay C Steven Stamkos recorded four goals and four assists in six previous All-Star Games
• CEN: Dallas’ 37-year-old C Joe Pavelski will become the 11th player since 2003-04 to appear in an All-Star Game at the age of 37 or older.
• PAC: Edmonton C Connor McDavid has amassed 13 points in seven games during the current All-Star format

Why the Central can win it all

Previously known for his numerous suspensions for illegal hits, Colorado’s Nazem Kadri has been putting his talent on display this season. The 31-year-old center is tied with McDavid for third in the league with 60 points — one shy of his career high — and enters the All-Star break with a five-game streak during which he has produced four goals and five assists.

Why the Atlantic can win it all

The Atlantic boasts the NHL’s leading scorer in Florida’s Jonathan Huberdeau, who has recorded 64 points in 47 games after amassing 61 in 55 contests last season. Also on the squad for the fourth time in his career is Toronto’s Auston Matthews, a 24-year-old center who is tied for third in the league with 29 goals in just 39 games and well on his way to his third consecutive 40-goal campaign.

Why the Pacific can win it all

Once again, the Pacific has the most lethal one-two punch in Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl and McDavid, who are second and third, respectively, in the NHL in scoring. The 26-year-old Draisaitl, a former Art Ross Trophy winner and three-time All-Star, has notched 63 points and also is second in the league in goals (32), while the 25-year-old McDavid, who won his third scoring title last season, is three points behind his Oilers teammate.

How to make 2022 NHL All-Star Game picks

Severance is not picking the Metropolitan Division to win it all, noting the team lacks the offensive firepower necessary to take the crown. It also will be without goal-scoring wizard Alex Ovechkin, as the Washington Capitals superstar will miss the event due to COVID-19. 

Instead, Severance believes one crucial X-factor will help another division win it all, making them a must-back. He’s sharing who it is over at SportsLine.

So who wins the NHL All-Star Game 2022? And what crucial X-factor makes one division a must-back? Visit SportsLine right now to get Severance’s overall champion, all from the NHL handicapper who is 56-35-2 in his last 93 NHL picks.