THE TOP 5 ALL-STAR GAMES IN NHL HISTORY

The NHL All-Star game has seen all kinds of crazy changes throughout the years. The Campbell and Wales gave way to North America and the World, which eventually changed to the East vs. West format that is still used today. With the 2009 game set to get under way in just a couple hours, let's look back at the five best All-Star Games in NHL history.

5. 1998- General Motors Place (Vancouver, BC) North America 8 World 7
The first North America vs. The World game was very closely contested. The World team led 3-0 just four minutes in, but the North Americans battled back to tie it at three after one period, marking the largest comeback in All-Star game history. While the North Americans eventually won 8-7, Anaheim's Teemu Selanne netted a hat-trick and was the first losing player to be named MVP since Grant Fuhr in 1986.

4. 2003- Office Depot Center (Sunrise, FL) West 6 East 5 (OT-SO)
Dany Heatley's four goals helped the East stay tied with the West through 60 minutes. Both Patrick Lalime and Marty Turco made some spectacular saves in overtime, and the score remained tied. A shootout ensued with the West winning easily. Heatley (who else?) was the only Eastern Conference player to score in the shootout, with four players scoring on the other side to give the West the win.

3. 1986- Hartford Civic Center (Hartford, CT) Wales 4 Campbell 3 (OT)
Wayne Gretzky tied the game at two with under three minutes remaining; but just 19 seconds later the Flyers Brian Propp scored to give the Wales Conference a 3-2 lead. With Mike Gartner in the penalty box, the Jets Dale Hawerchuk beat Bob Froese with 43 ticks to go to send the game into overtime. Brian Trottier took a feed from teammate Mike Bossy and won the game for the Wales Conference just 3:05 into the extra session.

2. 1988- St. Louis Arena (St. Louis, MO) Wales 6 Campbell 5 (OT)
This one was all about number 66. Mario Lemieux lit the lamp three times, and added three more assists for an All-Star game record six points, including the game winner in overtime. Montreal's Mats Naslund broke a record of his own with five assists for the Wales Conference. Super Mario beat Mike Vernon of Calgary just 1:08 into OT for the win.

1. 1996- Fleet Center (Boston, MA) East 5 West 4
The top spot goes to 1996, otherwise known as "the Ray Bourque All-Star game." The entire weekend was basically a celebration of hockey in Boston, complete with Bobby Orr on hand as the East's honorary captain. Winnipeg's Teemu Selanne knotted the score at four with under four minutes to go, but hometown hero Ray Bourque beat Felix Potvin with :38 left to win the game for the East, 5-4. Bourque took home the MVP award in front of the Boston fans.