The NHL has made drastic changes to its All-Star Game format.
Rather than the traditional Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference matchup, the NHL has transformed the All-Star Game into a 3-on-3 tournament, beginning in 2016 in Nashville, Tenn.
According to Wednesday’s NHL press release, the new format will divide the All-Star Game into three 20-minute games, which will feature four teams: one team per division.
The Central Division All-Stars will face the Pacific Division All-Stars in one semi-final game, with the Atlantic Division facing the Metropolitan Division in the other. The two winners will then face off in the final, where they’ll compete for a prize of $1 million.
Teams will change ends at the 10-minute mark of each game and if any game is tied after 20 minutes, it will be decided by a shootout.
Each team will consist of 11 players: six forwards, three defencemen, and two goaltenders.
Fans will be able to vote for their top All-Star (and captain) for each division, regardless of position, with the remaining 40 All-Stars being determined by the NHL hockey operations department.
The 2016 All-Star skills competition will remain an Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference event, with the winning conference earning the right to select when their semi-final matchup will be played — first or second on the following day.
The skills competition will take place at Bridgestone Arena at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 30. The 2016 All-Star Game will take place at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 31.
