Canucks forward Elias Pettersson wins passing challenge at 2024 NHL All-Star Skills

The Vancouver Canucks are on the board at the 2024 NHL All-Star skills competition at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Canucks forward Elias Pettersson recorded the highest score in the passing challenge at this year’s edition of All-Star Skills, tallying 25 points in the 45-second event.

Pettersson defeated Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar by a two-point margin to claim victory in the event. Mat Barzal, Auston Matthews, and William Nylander rounded out the top five in the event standings.

On the other end of the spectrum, Tampa Bay Lightning forward and current Art Ross Trophy frontrunner Nikita Kucherov finished last in the event with a dismal five points. Kucherov looked like he was going through the motions for much of the challenge and was booed loudly by the crowd in Toronto.

For his part, Pettersson put on a pretty good show for the fans at Scotiabank Arena. He took the crowd through his process in an interview with Sportsnet’s interview after winning the challenge.

“I was more battling with my nerves to start, I almost fell down at the end there, but yeah I got the win. I’m happy,” Pettersson said. “I just tried to hit the targets, tried to get a good start but I missed my first one. I dialled in at the end.”

Pettersson, 25, is one of six Canucks players taking part at the All-Star Game. He’s attending alongside J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, Thatcher Demko, Quinn Hughes, and the newly-acquired Elias Lindholm, as well as head coach Rick Tocchet.

Miller and Pettersson are slated to go head-to-head against each other in the hardest shot challenge. Pettersson, the reigning champion, said he and Miller have a bet going over who will come out on top in that particular event.

The actual All-Star Game is slated to take place on Saturday. Every Canuck in attendance is on Team Hughes, with the lone exception of Lindholm, who will play for Team MacKinnon.