Marc Savard Scores Winner as East Beats West in NHL All-Star Game

MVP Eric Staal beats Chris Osgood in the first period. (AP Images)

Fifteen goals, no hits and Ne-Yo?

Yeah, it definitely wasn’t your typical hockey game. The 2008 NHL All-Star Game featured a lot of exciting moments but, as usual, it was not a contest for purists.

Marc Savard scored the winning goal in the building where he established himself as a top-tier pro and the Eastern Conference beat their counterparts from the West, 8-7, at Phillips Arena in Atlanta Sunday night.

NHL bettors who backed the East received a payday of $110 on the moneyline while those who took the under also collected. The betting total was set at 16 for the 56th edition of the high-scoring annual showcase.

Savard, who now plays for the Boston Bruins, netted the winner with just 21 seconds left. Eric Staal was named the MVP. The Carolina Hurricanes’ star scored twice and had an assist on the winning goal.

Rick Nash opened the scoring 12 seconds into the game, setting an All-Star record for fastest goal. The Columbus Blue Jackets’ sniper added two more goals for the West to complete the hat trick.

Atlanta Thrashers fans wanted to see hometown star Ilya Kovalchuk light it up, but he was denied despite having several strong chances. Kovalchuk had one assist while teammate Marian Hossa scored once for the East.

The game featured an intermission performance by hip-hop star Ne-Yo, who took the ice with a dance troop dressed in marching-band orange. That'll boost the ratings.

The NHL resumes Tuesday with 11 games. Bet on hockey in the Bodog Sportsbook.