John Scott named All-Star Game MVP
The NHL got it right.
John Scott was named MVP of the NHL All-Star Game after scoring twice, and captaining the Pacific Division to a $1-million cash prize at the league's first 3-on-3 tournament.
Related: "You can't write it this way. It was definitely breathtaking," says Scott
The long-time enforcer - perhaps taking his final strides as an NHLer - scored seconds into his debut, tapping in a Brent Burns feed at the back door. Then, later on in the second semifinal, Scott beat Devan Dubnyk clean with a rising shot on a breakaway.
He also recorded the second All-Star hit since 2003 when he dropped Patrick Kane in open ice before dropping the mitts with the Chicago Blackhawks star moments later.
From there, the fans at the Bridgestone Arena chanted his name until the final whistle, where he was hoisted onto the shoulders of his teammates.
Scott was actually left off the initial in-arena ballot, with fans asked to choose between Roberto Luongo, Johnny Gaudreau, and Taylor Hall. But when the support for Scott became "overwhelming," the NHL made the quick (and wise) decision to acknowledge him, according to Yahoo's Greg Wyshynski.
John Scott on preliminary MVP voting: “I was sitting next to Johnny and Taylor, and I said, ‘You guys better give me that van. I need it.’”
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 1, 2016
He wasn't the best, or most-talented skater on the ice, but he was most certainly the driving force behind the most successful NHL All-Star Game in recent memory.
And his experience in Nashville, with his family, will likely be worth more than the $90,000 and brand new car he'll head home with.