The 2019 All-Star roster was released on Wednesday, but to many, it came as a surprise that Jeff Skinner was left off of it. His teammate and Captain, Jack Eichel is the only Sabre on the roster for the second straight year.
How did this guy not get picked for the #NHLAllStar Game?!
Vote Jeff Skinner in #Sabres fans!!! pic.twitter.com/JMbun0llRx
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) January 4, 2019
Skinner has 28 goals midway through the season and is just two behind Alex Ovechkin for the league lead.
For the first time this year, fans will have the opportunity to choose the “Last Men In” on each divisional team.
The good news is, Skinner is on the ballot for Last Men In, but he will need the help of the fans in order to be selected as the 11th player on the Atlantic team.
He is up against some tough opponents — Toronto’s Morgan Rielly, Tampa Bay’s Brayden Point, Boston’s Patrice Bergeron, Detroit’s Dylan Larkin, Florida’s Aleksander Barkov, Montreal’s Shea Weber, and Ottawa’s Mark Stone.
The player with the most votes from each of the four divisions will be added to the All-Star Game rosters. The voting opened at noon on Thursday and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 10. Fans can vote here at NHL.com/Vote and are allowed 10 voting ballots during a 24-hour period.
Coach Housley makes his plea for #53: "Everybody please get out there and vote for Jeff Skinner." https://t.co/RJp1pADRQJ #LastMenIn pic.twitter.com/JdbOPGGA61
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) January 3, 2019
The 64th NHL All-Star Game will take place on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
The #Sabres hit the halfway point of the season tonight and Jeff Skinner’s 27 goals are already the 5th most by a BUF player in a season this decade. Vanek’s 32 in 2010-11 is the current high.
— Buffalo Sabres Stats (@SabresStats) January 4, 2019