Pacioretty gets All-Star nod as Silfverberg excused for birth of child

Vegas Golden Knights forward Max Pacioretty has been selected for the NHL All-Star Game for the first time in his career.

The 31-year-old winger joins the Pacific Division roster and replaces Anaheim Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg, who is expecting the imminent birth of his child, NHL Public Relations announced Thursday.

Pacioretty is having a career season and leads Vegas in both goals (20) and points (45) through 47 games. He was one of the eight candidates on the Pacific Division ballot for the "Last Men In" fan vote.

Silfverberg leads the Ducks with 15 goals this season and is on pace for a career-best 29 tallies. The All-Star selection also marked his first. Anaheim is now without a representative at this year's event.

Pacioretty joins head coach Gerard Gallant, who was chosen to man the bench for the Pacific Division.