NHL skills competition 2022: Live updates, highlights, how to watch All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas – The Athletic

The reigning champion in the fastest skater competition, Islanders forward Mathew Barzal, isn't here to defend his title, and Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid has a chance to walk away with a crowning achievement if he can cross that finish line before the others.

McDavid can become the competition's first four-time champion. He joined Mike Gartner as the only three-time winners during his dominating streak from 2017-2019. Gartner won in 1990, 1993, and 1996.

So who is likely to stand in his way? He's got a pretty good idea.

"There's lots of good skaters in the group. (Dylan) Larkin's won it before so I'd definitely say Larkin."

Not only did the Red Wings forward win before, his winning time in 2016 (13.172) was faster than each of McDavid's (13.310 in 2016, 13.454 in 2018, and 13.378 in 2019).

Golden Knights forward Mark Stone, a self-proclaimed fan of the hardest shot and fastest skater competitions as a spectator, echoed McDavid's thoughts.

"I haven't quite looked it at yet, but I think I'm a Larkin guy," Stone said. "If was a putting money on it, I'd bet Larkin."

But fellow fastest skater competitor Cale Makar predicted it's going to come down to a narrow margin.

"Hopefully I'm good competition for the other guys," Makar said. "There's some pretty fast guys, so it'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds but I'm just looking to go out there and have fun and see where it takes me.

"(McDavid's) a pretty fast guy. We obviously haven't played him much in the past few years but every single one of those guys, you put them in a straight line race or a race around the nets, it's going to be pretty close. Honestly, I'll think it'll come down to very minimal seconds."

Chris Kreider, Adrian Kempe, Kyle Connor, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Jordan Kyrou round out the field.

(Photo by Del Mecum / Cal Sport Media via AP Images)

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NHL skills competition 2022: Live updates, highlights, how to watch All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas - The Athletic